The nutcracker at the joffrey ballet university of chicago. The joffrey is grateful to the nutcracker commissioning sponsors. The opening scene, a christmas party in a victorian parlor, features an avalanche of toys, presents, fancy candycolored costumes, and kidfriendly shenanigans. Chicago tonight joffrey ballets reimagined nutcracker. Maries manse was gone, replaced by a shack where children sleep on the floor, huddled by the stove for warmth. Please note that every individual entering the theatre. Dec 17, 20 the joffrey takes pains both artistic and physical to keep it seemingly new. Jeraldine mendoza of the joffrey ballet performs christopher wheeldons chicagothemed reinvention of the nutcracker.
Founded in 1956, the joffrey ballet is one of the foremost dance companies performing in the world today. Director, ashley wheater brings a unique, inclusive perspective on dance, proudly reflecting the diversity of america with its company, audiences, and repertoire. Tony awardwinning choreographer christopher wheeldon has reimagined the. Enhance your nutcracker experience by attending a nutcracker afternoon tea the day of your performance with our hotel partner jw marriott chicago. Today, they are situated in chicago where they will be moving to the lyric opera house for performances in. Probably they can be broken down into three categories. Margot and josef lakonishok, searle funds at the chicago community trust, hancher auditorium, university of iowa, and the many believers, as well as 2017 the nutcracker production sponsor jewell events catering we recommend this production for children ages 5 and up.
The joffrey ballet is a worldclass ballet company and dance education organization known for presenting a unique repertoire including an annual performance of the nutcracker. Joffreys chicagoset nutcracker has become truly alive. Dec 19, 2018 joffrey ballet restages the nutcracker in 1893 chicago the friendly picture of hardworking friends and family sharing genuine kinship and the american dream around a merry hearth fire made its way into this late 1800s classic. The joffrey ballet unveiled a daringly new chicagocentric version of the nutcracker in 2016, moving the action to five months before the worlds columbian exposition in 1893 a grand. Photo by cheryl mann the wonderful story of the nutcracker and the mouse king written. Dec 24, 2016 the joffrey ballet, a gorgeous and gifted ensemble, are the perfect company to debut wheeldons nutcracker, and the usual bevy of children from joffreys academy of dance and other schools in the chicago area, are charming and adorable. This upcoming season will mark the companys first season at lyric opera house as well as joffrey s 25th year in chicago. Magic is on the horizon for young marie and her mother, a sculptress creating the iconic statue of the republic. Ten years in the making, the joffrey ballets new nutcracker tells the story of a city our city.
Joffrey ballets the nutcracker continues its chicago 1893 focus by lisa trifone on december 5, 2018 leave a comment the bottom line is this. Joffrey ballets reimagined nutcracker continues to dazzle. Alvin ailey american dance theater, one of the best known companies in the world the associated press that never fails to inspire and delight chicago tonight, returns to its chicago home of more than 50 years as a visiting resident company. Joffrey ballet to launch reimagined nutcracker abc7. Wells drive journey to chicagos 1893 worlds fair with christopher wheeldons holiday masterpiece.
Joffrey ballet to launch reimagined nutcracker abc7 chicago. With gratitude to the nutcracker commissioning sponsors. Many choreographers have worked with the joffrey, including paul taylor, twyla tharp, george balanchine, and founders gerald arpino and robert. A radiant moment in chicago history key to magic of joffreys. See tony awardwinning choreographer christopher wheeldons production of the nutcracker in this breathtaking performance by the joffrey ballet. Joffrey ballet restages the nutcracker in 1893 chicago the friendly picture of hardworking friends and family sharing genuine kinship and the american dream around a merry hearth fire made its way into this late 1800s classic. Alvin ailey american dance theater events and offerings. Many choreographers have worked with the joffrey, including paul taylor, twyla tharp, george balanchine, and founders gerald arpino and robert joffrey. The joffrey ballets the nutcracker chicago tickets goldstar.
Dec 02, 2019 the joffrey ballet unveiled a daringly new chicagocentric version of the nutcracker in 2016, moving the action to five months before the worlds columbian exposition in 1893 a grand. And for the children dancing in the nutcracker, a wish has been granted. Many choreographers have worked with the joffrey, including paul taylor, twyla tharp, george balanchine. With its dazzling whirlwind of sugar plum fairies, its rendition of. Last year alone it drew nearly 33,000 people to the auditorium. Pbs documentary of wheeldons nutcracker at joffrey. This mysterious, dark and magical moment in chicagos history seemed the perfect time and place to reinvent the nutcracker, even though the. Joffrey ballet tickets at auditorium theatre il chicago, il tickets get your tickets now at tickets. Wheeldons acclaimed turnofthecentury tale opens on christmas. Click the image below to view the nutcracker digital program book. Presenting premieres, new productions, timeless classics, and audience favorites, the. The emotions evoked by the nutcracker come at a time when people are drawn toward charitable giving and making dreams come true. When joffrey ballets nutcracker was revised for chicago, artistic director ashley wheater, choreographer christopher wheeldon and storyteller brian selznick choose to set it.
Mar 16, 2019 a big fan of the wonderful joffrey ballet and recently loved their classical presentation of swan lake. Expert is a resale marketplace, not a box office or venue. Joffrey ballet tickets at auditorium theatre il chicago. Joffrey ballets reimagined nutcracker continues to dazzle and charm.
Wheeldons acclaimed turnofthecentury tale opens on christmas eve, 1892, mere months before the grand opening of the 1893 worlds fair, as young marie and her mother prepare for a christmas eve potluck celebration. Joffrey ballet reimagines the nutcracker set in chicago. Joffrey ballet the nutcracker auditorium theatre, chicago, il. Nutcracker auditions the joffrey ballet theatre in chicago. Dec 29, 2019 click the image below to view the nutcracker digital program book.
When joffrey ballet s nutcracker was revised for chicago, artistic director ashley wheater, choreographer christopher wheeldon and storyteller brian selznick choose to set it at the 1893 world. This fresh adaptation of the timeless christmas ballet is set during the historic 1893 chicago worlds fair and centers on marie a young girl whose mother works at the fair. Nov 01, 2017 christopher wheeldons the nutcracker takes you on a magical journey with marie to the dream fair set in chicago before the 1893 worlds columbian exposition. Set in chicago just before the worlds fair of 1892 and with the central family being poor.
Nov 28, 2018 when joffrey ballet s nutcracker was revised for chicago, artistic director ashley wheater, choreographer christopher wheeldon and storyteller brian selznick choose to set it at the 1893 world. A big fan of the wonderful joffrey ballet and recently loved their classical presentation of swan lake. The joffrey ballets the nutcracker chicago tickets. All students in the chicagoland area meeting the criteria with dance experience are welcome to audition on their respective dates. The joffrey ballet unveiled a daringly new chicagocentric version of the nutcracker in 2016, moving the action to five months before the. The joffrey ballet is committed to honoring, nurturing, and advancing dance through the lens of diversity, inclusion, and equity in all aspects of its programming, services, and organization. Where to see the nutcracker in chicago and the suburbs. On the night before christmas, a magical nutcracker guides marie through. Nutcracker 2019 creative but lost the plot tripadvisor. An allstar creative team joined forces with the athletic dancers of the joffrey for a. Joffrey ballets the nutcracker continues its chicago. While robert joffrey stayed in new york to teach ballet classes and earn money to pay the dancers salaries, gerald arpino led the troupe across americas heartland, in a station wagon that pulled a uhaul trailer. The joffrey ballet tickets the joffrey ballet tickets the joffrey ballet started as the robert joffrey theater dancers in 1956.
The original company consisted of six dynamic and highly individual dancers. Last year, the joffrey ballet unveiled christopher wheeldons startling new version of the nutcracker. Yet when the joffrey ballet presented the world premiere of christopher wheeldons new nutcracker last year, audiences got a uniquely chicagoan production that turns the original story on its head. The joffrey ballet, based in chicago, illinois, is a premier dance company. The joffrey takes pains both artistic and physical to keep it seemingly new. The joffrey ballet long had a traditional nutcracker by its founderchoreographer, robert joffrey, which it continued to perform after moving to chicago from new york in 1995. Joffrey ballets ashley wheater honoured by her majesty queen elizabeth ii with mbe. Chicago wls youve never seen the nutcracker the way it will look this december in a joffrey ballet extravaganza. Let me start by saying we have seen the joffrey nutcracker every year for the past 10 years. The joffreys modernization premiered last year, choreographed and directed by christopher wheeldon reimagines the nutcracker set in a modest chicago home rather than in a wealthy familys mansion. It was a sixdancer ensemble that traveled from one place to another to spread the beauty of dance and ballet. Joffrey ballet tickets at auditorium theatre il chicago, il. The joffrey is a worldclass, chicago based ballet company and dance education organization committed to artistic excellence and innovation, presenting a. The joffrey is a worldclass, chicago based ballet company and dance education organization committed to artistic excellence and innovation, presenting a uni.
Clara, our heroine, is preoccupied with dolls and, maybe, boys. The joffrey ballet s the nutcracker is a mustsee tradition boldly reimagined for a new generation. The joffreys nutcracker, which robert joffrey set in america in the 1850s, begins with a bang. I think that the bar has been raised, said joffrey ballet artistic director ashley wheater. The joffrey ballet is committed to artistic excellence and innovation, presenting a unique repertoire encompassing masterpieces of the past including an annual. Nutcracker childrens cast auditions joffrey ballet. We brought our daughter for the first time when she was only 3 and were all completely enchanted by the talented company, brilliant choreography, the beautiful sets and costumes and the magical quality of the perfomance.
In the joffrey ballets new nutcracker, the main characters arent wealthy but instead are working class immigrants living on the grounds of the 1893 chicago worlds fair before it opens. From the first notes of the familiar classical score, allow yourself to be transported to christmas 1892, just five months before the columbian exposition of 1893 would open. The joffrey ballets holiday gift to chicago is a nutcracker that the city can call its own, one that tells the story of chicagoans and the magic of family, said ashley wheater, the mary b. Joffrey ballets reimagined nutcracker continues to. The magic of the season takes hold when a visit from the. Christopher wheeldons the nutcracker takes you on a magical journey with marie to the dream fair set in chicago before the 1893 worlds columbian exposition. Dec 11, 2016 the joffrey ballet long had a traditional nutcracker by its founderchoreographer, robert joffrey, which it continued to perform after moving to chicago from new york in 1995. The joffrey is a worldclass, chicagobased ballet company and dance education organization committed to artistic excellence and innovation, presenting a unique repertoire encompassing masterpieces of the past and cuttingedge works. The art deco nutcracker is a fabulously fun frolic of an evening. Oct 25, 2019 the joffrey ballets the nutcracker when. As reported in the chicago tribune, the joffrey ballet announced its 202021 season. The nutcracker at the joffrey ballet the university of chicago. How the joffreys new nutcracker chose chicagos worlds. This christmas tradition reimagined is an homage to.
Joffrey ballet restages the nutcracker in 1893 chicago. The nutcracker at joffrey ballet of chicago performink. Journey to chicagos 1893 worlds fair with christopher wheeldons holiday masterpiece. Please contact our box office to get uptotheminute ticket availability information.
A radiant moment in chicago history key to magic of. Joffrey ballet s ashley wheater honoured by her majesty queen elizabeth ii with mbe. The joffrey ballet is pleased to present a brilliantly reimagined nutcracker by. Joffrey ballet opens the holiday season with the nutcracker. The joffrey ballet, a gorgeous and gifted ensemble, are the perfect company to debut wheeldons nutcracker, and the usual bevy of children from joffreys academy of dance and other schools in the chicago area, are charming and adorable. Their nutcracker 2019 however, while brilliantly performed deformed the plot and lost the charm.
In lieu of fabulously gowns all bustled and beribboned, the guests wear the drab, flouncefree garb of impoverished. Based in chicago, illinois, the joffrey ballet is a worldclass ballet company that performs a wide array of performances every year, ranging from old classics to more modern pieces and featuring some of the worlds most talented dancers, musicians, directors, and choreographers. Founded as a touring company in 1956, it was based. The joffrey ballet holds open auditions for the childrens cast of christopher wheeldons nutcracker at its downtown studios in joffrey tower, 10 e. Wheeldons acclaimed turnofthecentury tale opens on christmas eve, 1892, mere months before the grand opening of the 1893 worlds fair, as young marie and her mother prepare for a christmas eve potluck c. Young dancers and theatrical performers from chicago and beyond invited to. The joffrey ballets the nutcracker is a mustsee tradition boldly reimagined for a new generation. Chicago wls the joffrey ballet will launch a brand new version of the nutcracker for the holidays on saturday at the auditorium theatre. The auditorium theatre of roosevelt university, 50 ida b. The joffrey ballet performs christopher wheeldons chicagothemed reinvention of the nutcracker. Now in its second season with the kinks worked out, choreographer christopher wheeldons revisionist holiday ballet is wonderfully alive. Photo by cheryl mann choreographed by the tony awardwinning christopher wheeldon, and set to the beloved tchaikovsky score, it cleverly shifted the story courtesy of childrens book author brian selznick to the fairs chicago construction site during the wintry months of 1892. One way it does that is in ensuring that no two performances of its nutcracker are ever the same.
Randolph street, sunday, september 10 and thursday, september 14. In chicago, you cant get any better than the joffrey ballets the nutcracker. The nutcracker program book 2019 by the joffrey ballet issuu. Joffrey ballet tickets joffrey ballet schedule cheaptickets. This upcoming season will mark the companys first season at lyric opera house as well as joffreys 25th year in chicago.
Robert joffrey and gerald arpinos uniquely american vision of dance first took form in 1956. The joffrey is a worldclass, chicago based ballet company and dance education organization committed to artistic excellence and innovation, presenting a unique repertoire encompassing masterpieces of the past and cuttingedge works. Tickets are no longer available online for this event. The joffrey ballet, based in chicago, illinois, is one of the worlds premier dance companies. About joffrey ballet based in chicago, illinois, the joffrey ballet is a worldclass ballet company that performs a wide array of performances every year, ranging from old classics to more modern pieces and featuring some of the worlds most talented dancers, musicians, directors, and choreographers. Here, marie is a poor polish immigrant whose family lives in a shack on the construction grounds of chicagos 1863 worlds columbian exposition. Dec 04, 2019 the joffrey ballet production of the nutcracker. The joffreys nutcracker abandons plot, pathos, and. Joffrey gifts chicago a homegrown holiday classic not to be missed joffrey ballet the nutcracker at the auditorium theatre, chicago, il.