The Joffrey Ballet, led by Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director Greg Cameron, proudly presents the highly anticipated world premiere production of The Nutcracker by Christopher Wheeldon, winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Choreography for An American in Paris. The Nutcracker will be presented at the Joffrey’s home venue, the historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, in downtown Chicago at 50 East Congress Parkway, in 27 performances, December 10-30, 2016.
A ballet in two acts, The Nutcracker opens on Christmas Eve, 1892, as workers from around the world construct the Chicago Columbian World’s Exposition, set to open five months later. Marie and her younger brother Franz arrive at home, a little shack where their mother, a sculptress, is creating a masterpiece that will preside over the fair. Workers from the fair soon arrive at the shack as a festive Christmas party begins. The creator of the World’s Fair, the mysterious Impresario and his apprentice Peter, arrive to entertain the workers with an enchanting vision of his fair while distributing gifts, including a nutcracker for Marie. That evening, Marie awakes to an epic battle between toy soldiers and mice led by The Mouse King and the now life-size Nutcracker, where she unexpectedly saves the day. Following their victory, Marie, the Impresario and the Nutcracker, now transformed into a Prince, set sail into the night.
ACT II begins as they arrive on shore, greeted by the Queen of the Fair who grants them a visit to a dream like World’s Fair. They move from pavilion to pavilion, where countries from around the world are represented. As the dream comes to a close, the Fair explodes with light and Marie suddenly awakes to find it is Christmas Day.
The Chicago Philharmonic, led by Joffrey Music Director Scott Speck, provides live accompaniment of the classic Tchaikovsky score for every performance. The full Joffrey company is also joined onstage by over 90 young dancers from the Chicagoland area and young vocalists from four different local children’s choirs.
When:
December 10 – 30, 2016
Where:
Auditorium Theatre
50 East Congress Parkway
Chicago
Tickets:
$35-$170
Available for purchase at The Joffrey Ballet’s official Box Office located in the lobby of Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, as well as the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Box Office, by telephone 312.386.8905, or online at Joffrey.org.
