TestNG test functions never execute

First a word about my test framework.  I have a hierarchy of test classes.  There is an abstract base class which does some setup, a child class that does some more setup, and finally an actual test class that does even more setup and finally runs the tests.  This configuration works fine when I execute it using ANT.  I can develop to my heart's content within IntelliJ 12, but the tests never execute.  I can step through the set up phase and all those bits do their duty.  But if I let the test application run the next thing that happens is I am in the tear-down methods.  The logging facility reports that zero tests ran; zero tests failed; and zero tests were skipped.  This is vexing.  Not only is there no joy trying to run the tests, but there is no way for me to debug them.

Well, to be honest, there is a way.  I can remote debug the tests by running them in ANT and having IntelliJ attach to the process.  Sadly, this tells me nothing as to why the IDE is not capable of running the tests as they are.  And running remote is just too cumbersome a workflow for me or my associates.  Any suggestions or ideas as to what is going down here?  Thanks to all.