Snowflakes and icicles are on the march, along with an army of toy soldiers, marauding mice, and delicious dancing treats, as multiple “Nutcrackers” once again launch Chicago’s holiday season. By our count, at least nine major productions grace Chicago area stages this December, from Christopher Wheeldon’s much anticipated extravaganza for The Joffrey Ballet to the elaborate studio company productions of Ballet Chicago, Ruth Page Civic Ballet, Salt Creek Ballet, and Ballet Legere, and the ambitious school productions of Hyde Park School of Dance, Ballet 5:8, and Alma Dance School of Elgin that sustain aspiring ballerinas, cavalier princes, and adoring audiences across the city and suburbs.
DECEMBER HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
Join Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (DRDT) as the company celebrates two decades of artistic excellence and community building on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th. DRDT will kick-off its 20th Anniversary Year with performances at the beautiful Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. The anniversary performances will feature two company premieres. "When Men" choreographed by DRDT company member Joshua L. Ishmon and "Femme" choreographed by DRDT Artistic Team Member/Education Director Nicole Clarke-Springer. The season will also feature works including "Jagged Ledges", "The March", "Bach'd", "Heaven", and more.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
The Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s popular re-creation of this holiday classic is back for three performances only, featuring guest artists from Cuba's illustrious National School of Ballet ( December 3-4, Northeastern Illinois University). Originally presented in the Arie Crown Theatre from 1965 until 1997, this production recreates highlights from Ruth Page's beloved original full-length staging. Exquisite dancing, world-renowned guest artists, stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets, Page’s Nutcracker promises holiday joy for children of all ages!
Ruth Page Civic Ballet Nutcracker
Ballet Legere's 32nd Annual Production of THE NUTCRACKER (December 8-12, Dominican University, River Forest), is filled with lavish costumes and scenery, and many special effects, and a cast of over 100 dancers including children, adults, and professionals. Guest Artists Hannah Bettes and Marcus Romeo will dance the Grand Pas de Deux, courtesy of The Boston Ballet, Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director. Also appearing will be Megan Walsh and Joseph Caruana of Elements Contemporary Ballet in Chicago.
HYDE PARK SCHOOL OF DANCE will present its annual production of “The Nutcracker” December 9, 10, and 11 at Mandel Hall (located at 1131 E 57th St). The show is a narrated, family-friendly, 90-minute production featuring over 200 dancers ages 4 - adult. HPSD was founded as a non-profit in 1993, with the mission to provide opportunities for students of all ages to study, perform, and create dance at the highest levels of discipline and artistry. Diversity is central to the school’s mission, and by “diversity” they don’t just mean cultural and racial; they believe that all bodies can be beautiful, expressive, and powerful on stage.
Hyde Park School of Dance Nutcracker
THE JOFFREY BALLET presents the world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s “The Nutcracker” (December 10-30, Auditorium Theater). Wheeldon, winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Choreography for the Broadway hit, An American in Paris, reimagines the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, for a new generation, replacing the traditional 19th century setting with Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. Wheeldon’s stunning choreography and the artistic team’s visionary design will celebrate a turn-of-the-century Chicago as seen through a child’s eyes. Set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score, The Chicago Philharmonic conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet, will delight audiences with live music at every performance. Wheeldon’s Nutcracker will come to life with an award-winning team comprised of creatives in the tops of their fields including: Tony Award®-nominated set and costume designer Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter), author and illustrator Brian Selznick ( The Invention of Hugo Cabret,) Obie and Drama Desk award-winning puppeteer and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Basil Twist (The Addams Family, The Pee-Wee Herman Show), five-time Tony Award®-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz (An American in Paris, Once, Frozen), and Tony Award®-winning projection designer Ben Pearcy (An American in Paris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Big Fish).
Christopher Wheeldon
“The World’s Columbian Exposition changed Chicago history, heralding its stature as a great American city.” said Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater, “This was a time of optimism and dynamic growth. Having settled the frontier, America embraced its place in the world. Imagine visiting the Fair, with its massive scale, gleaming architecture, exotic foreign pavilions and raucous midway. For a visitor, young or old, the experience must have been wonderful. Christopher Wheeldon and his creative team have captured this spirit in our new Nutcracker. Perhaps more importantly, they have found fresh meaning at the heart of the Nutcracker story. Rather than arriving at the ‘land of sweets’, Marie’s fantastic journey brings her to a loving home in a new land.”“We are thrilled to present this stunning new production that pays homage to the City that is an indispensable partner to the Joffrey,” added Executive Director Greg Cameron. “The Nutcracker has touched countless hearts over the years. For some, a beloved family tradition and for others their very first ballet experience. We’re honored to continue this tradition with a new Nutcracker that is uniquely Chicago and look forward to sharing the magic of dance with children of all ages and their families this holiday season.”“It was always my wish to create a Nutcracker that belongs specifically to The Joffrey Ballet - a version that accurately represents its dedication to unique repertoire and innovative works,” said Christopher Wheeldon. “With the support of today’s best creative minds, we have created a work that will transport audiences to a magical moment in the city’s history. I’m honored to bring this vision to life for the Joffrey and look forward to many more partnerships with the company in years to come.”
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.
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker marches back onto the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts stage (December 10-11) with a gift for families: an affordable full-length holiday production performed in the grand Russian style by a professional company with incredible guest soloists! For a holiday production which first began to delight audiences way back in 1892, Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker demonstrates how to make this historic ballet and holiday tradition just as accessible and relevant today. Salt Creek Ballet’s production tells the whimsical tale of young Clara and her magical journey with waltzing flowers, giant mice and sugar plum fairies, all exquisitely set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting musical score. The production features amazing new sets, vibrant costumes and internationally recognized guest dancers. The production additionally boasts a cast of 100 including local children and young adults aged eight to seventeen from the school of the Salt Creek Ballet. The Chicago Sun-Times calls the production “…a solid, professional ‘Nutcracker’,” and Laura Molzahn of the Chicago Tribune calls Salt Creek Ballet “A real treat.” Salt Creek Ballet is artistically directed by Sergey Kozadayev and Zhanna Dubrovskaya who trained at St. Petersburg’s famed Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Salt Creek Ballet
Ballet Chicago's annual Nutcracker (December 10-18, Athenaeum Theatre) features the accomplished studio company, guest artists, and students in a lavish full-length production choreographed and staged by artistic director Daniel Duel and inspired by George Balanchine's classic production for the New York City Ballet. Duel performed the roles of Candy Cane and Cavalier Prince.
Ballet Chicago
BALLET 5:8 presents “BEYOND THE NUTCRACKER,” a holiday story inspired by the classic ballet, “The Nutcracker” (December 17-18, Lockport East High School). An incredible holiday journey set to Tchaikovsky’s renowned Nutcracker score, Beyond the Nutcracker includes a cast of over 100 dancers, stunning choreography by Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Slager, dazzling handmade costumes, and all of the magic of the traditional Nutcracker ballet - but with a new story that invites audiences to join Emma on a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas adventure.
8 "Beyond The Nutcracker"
ALMA DANCE SCHOOL presents the classical ballet, “The Nutcracker” (December 17-18, Elgin Community College). This is an incredible opportunity to see a professional-level Nutcracker, directed by two former professional ballet dancers, Guillermo Leyva and Vilma Machin, who trained in Cuba and performed on stages around the world.
CHICAGO TAP THEATRE’S “TIDINGS OF TAP” features dances to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah & the Winter Season…with all LIVE music! (December 18, 3 PM, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie). Your family will love tapping into this charming new celebration of the holiday season by Chicago Tap Theatre. Come see why hundreds of Chicago families have made Tidings of Tap! their new holiday tradition. Featuring rhythm and whimsy-filled dance interpretations of your favorite Christmas, Hanukkah and winter songs, this is a fun yet sophisticated, family-friendly afternoon that you’ll be talking about all year! Audiences will also love experiencing the live holiday music performed by the CTT jazz trio and klezmer group. While this is a great family show, many people have commented that it is truly enjoyable for all ages. Children and parents will love the end-of-the show number, where all the children are invited on-stage to dance! Parents are encouraged to take photos of their kids on stage to capture the moment! Audience favorites will return, including the humorous take on the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” the men of CTT dancing in “Chanukah, Oh Chanukah” and the battle between Frosty and Rudolf in “Bohemian Tapsody.” Tidings of Tap! will also feature new premieres and debut pieces by the company.
Tidings of Tap
ADDITIONAL EXCITING DECEMBER DANCE EVENTS:
Experience Mordine & Co.’s compelling contemporary dance up close at Washington Park (December 1st, 7 PM). The COLLISIONS project is an ongoing investigation into ideas of immediate impact: tensions between generations, cultures, and climatic changes. This event features choreography by Shirley Mordine in collaboration with Hema Rajagopalan (Natya Dance Theatre) and Michael Montenegro (Theatre Zarko).
PERFORMANCE IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Cheryl Mann)
Evanston's own contemporary dance company, THE COCODACO DANCE PROJECT, kicks off it's third season with ASTiR, featuring choreography by Sam Watson, Francisco Avina, Taylor Mitchell and Ronn Stewart. (December 1-4, 7:30 PM, Josephine Louis Theatre, Northwestern University)
Burlesque star Julie Atlas Muz and comedy genius Mat Fraser (partners in life and theater) expose the social undercurrents of the eighteenth-century fairy tale, “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,” in a story hour for adults. (December 1-11, Museum of Contemporary Art) This Beauty and the Beast leads the audience on a magical journey into real and fabled romance, using love and humor plus a healthy dose of nudity to throw open the doors of acceptance. The artists reach maximum enchantment by employing song, dance, puppetry, and shadow play. Mature audiences only.
Beauty and the Beast
“DANCES OF DEATH AND LIGHT” (December 1-4, 7:30 PM, Loyola University)
inaugurates a new era of Loyola University Dance, as the annual dance concert moves to the Newhart Family Theatre, uniting the Dance and Theatre programs under one roof -- the roof of the Mundelein Center, the home to arts at Loyola. This year's concert features the 1842 classical ballet, Paquita, and Charles Weidman's iconic masterpiece, Lynchtown, world premieres by esteemed Loyola Dance faculty, and a fully-realized student choreographed work, all danced by the intensely spirited Loyola Dance majors.
DANCCEWORKS CHICAGO is excited to partner with the Lou Conte Dance Studio on DanceChance (December 2, 7 PM, Lou Conte Dance Studio), a one-hour event designed to offer opportunities for choreographers to show their work informally, create a forum for dialogue among artists, and build audience for dance. Inspired by the concept of open-mic night, DanceChance is held once a month and features 3 choreographers chosen by chance, each of whom has a 15-minute time slot to share their work. To round out the hour, the final 15-minute segment is a moderated meet-the-artist session providing an opportunity for choreographers to discuss their work and process as well as time for the audience to ask questions. At the end of each DanceChance, the next trio of participants is chosen from names submitted by choreographers in attendance.
CHICAGO DANCE CRASH and Artistic Director Jessica Deahr are proud to regain their sense of humor with the world premiere of “AND NOW FOR THE DANCING PANTS,” an original hip hop/ contemporary work inspired by the children’s poems of Chicago native, Shel Silverstein. (Dec. 2-10, Ruth Page Center for the Arts). Fit for all ages, "Dancing Pants!" is conceived by Deahr with choreography by Belle Jensen, Adam McGaw, Richard Ashworth, Stephanie Paul, and CDC Senior Company Member Kaitlin Webster. The show also features an original recording of Silverstein’s works narrated by local rapper Al Tamper and a live introduction by local emcee Mr. Mattrick Swayze. Silverstein was a Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, cartoonist, and poet of some of the most renowned American children’s books of all time. Crash will happily turn, leap, pop, and lock to some of his most memorable works from books including “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” “A Light in the Attic,” and “Falling Up.” His writings (only a step or two away from present-day hip hop rhythms) serve as an ideal springboard for CDC’s trademarked “fusion-style” aesthetic of mixing the most athletic aspects of street styles and concert forms into one cohesive blend. This December’s production will be the company’s ONLY local premiere until the summer of 2017 so come one, come all!
"And Now For The Dancing Pants"
“BEATING AGAINST TIME,” will be staged by Project606 Dance (December 2-3, 8 PM, the Drucker Center).
After a semester of pliés, triplets, and hip rolls, all levels of LOYOLA UNIVERSITY TECHNIQUE CLASSES showcase their efforts on the Newhart Family Theatre stage (December 9th, 7:30 PM, Loyola University). The students, including the dance majors and minors, will perform Ballet, Modern, and Jazz pieces choreographed and staged by course instructors Sandra Kaufmann, Sarah Cullen-Fuller, Amy Wilkinson, Mei-Kuang Chen, Deborah Goodman, Mari Jo Irbe, Cora Mitchell and Randall Newsom.
BORNE2DANCERS are excited to spread their holiday cheer in a Holiday Recital (6:30 PM, Cutting Hall, Palatine). If you have kids who are curious about dance and music, this would be the perfect opportunity for them to see what they do at Borne2Dance! You will see several music performances, along with tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical and jazz funk pieces.
TATSU AOKI: “REDUCTION” (December 16, 7:30 PM) and “TAIKO LEGACY”
(Dec 17-18–7:30pm) both take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
Expressive taiko drums bind two contrasting programs directed by Tatsu Aoki, multi-instrumentalist and media artist. Taiko Legacy is a perennial celebration of heritage forms as experienced by leading contemporary performers. Its geological scale is anchored by multigenerational ensemble Tsukasa Taiko. Legacy forefronts the traditional musical relationship between the shamisen and taiko.
Tatsu Aoki
ENSEMBLE ESPANOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER presents the Flamenco, folkloric, classical and contemporary dances of Spain in a two hour performance featuring the full company and guest musicians (December 16, 7:30 PM, Northeastern Illinois University).
For details and tickets on all of these events, go to seechicagodance.com and click on “Upcoming Events.”