Joffrey Ballet Presents THE NUTCRACKER Review — Re-Imagined Classic A Holiday Treat

Playing at the Auditorium Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet again presents a reimagined production of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet, The Nutcracker. Transplanted to the city of Chicago on the site of the 1893 World's Fair, choreographer and Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon centers Marie's  dreamscape on the exhibitions and halls of a still-under-construction fairgrounds. Featuring precisely performed choreography in conjunction with the sounds of The Chicago Philharmonic, The Nutcracker offers a new take on an old holiday favorite.

Rich and whimsical, The Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker is, in this writer's view,  a splendid event for all ages. Audiences familiar with the piece or new to its magic will likely be spellbound by its smartly updated setting and evocative execution. With a rotating cast of principals throughout its run (visit the Joffrey Ballet's website for a listing of performers by date), this is a holiday treat many won't want to miss.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

WHERE:

The Auditorium Theatre
50 E Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL

WHEN

Through December 30
Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays at 7:00pm
Saturdays/Sundays at 2:00pm

TICKETS

Tickets range $35-$179 and are available at The Joffrey Ballet's website or by calling 312.386.8905.

Photos by Cheryl Mann

Brent Ervin-Eickhoff is a director, writer, and educator based in Chicago, IL. He has worked with A Red Orchid Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co., Facility Theatre, and others as a director, assistant director, and in a variety of artistic capacities. Brent served as Co-Artistic Director and then Managing Director of Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble for three years, of which he was a founding member. His productions of Herculaneum and Bison? Bison. Bison! with Blue Goose were praised by critics and audiences. Bison? Bison. Bison! was selected and performed as part of Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks Initiative. An award-winning filmmaker, Brent’s films have screened as part of the Frog Baby Film Festival and Indianapolis 48 Hour Film Project. His play Puget Sound was workshopped as a staged reading as part of A Red Orchid Theatre’s Incubator Program in 2017. Brent graduated from Ball State University Magna Cum Laude with degrees in Directing and Theatre Education, as well as Ball State’s prestigious Academic Honors in Writing.
 

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