“The Nutcracker” -Joffrey Ballet

**** One of my favorite holiday traditions has always been attending “The Nutcracker”. As a child, my parents would pack us into the station wagon and drive to the Airie Crown Theatre at McCormick Place, where Ruth Page—Chicago’s own pioneering ballerina—brought Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece to life. After the Arie Crown closed in 1997, my holiday fix moved to the Auditorium Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet. But when the Joffrey introduced its own full-length production in 2016, I found myself drifting to Chicago Ballet’s version instead.

Last night, returning to see the Joffrey’s production at the Lyric Opera House, I was reminded just how unique and ambitious their interpretation is. The music is 96% the same Tchaikovsky we all cherish, yet many familiar characters are rearranged and several iconic scenes are reimagined. The result is a slightly disorienting but consistently delightful rendition, supported by breathtaking sets and enhanced by sophisticated projection design that expands the visual world of the ballet.
A word of note: with 48 company artists and 8 principal roles each night, the Joffrey rotates its leads regularly, ensuring a fresh cast at every performance. With over 100 performers on stage, there is no shortage of movement, color, or spectacle.

On this evening, the role of the Great Impresario/Toymaker was danced by Stefan Goncalvez of São Paulo, Brazil. His presence was commanding, his movement fluid—even when transitioning later into the Prince. His climactic pas de deux with the Ice Queen, danced exquisitely by Gayeon Jung from Seoul, South Korea, was among the evening’s highlights. Jung’s technique is crisp yet effortless, her lines unfurling with elegant precision.

One small critique: the costume design occasionally veers into excess. Goncalvez appeared somewhat restricted by a flashy, heavily sleeved jacket, an odd choice that seemed to work against the choreography rather than with it. And this affected other danseurs.
Hyuma Kiyosawa of Japan gave a gentle, earnest performance as Peter the Apprentice, guiding Marie—portrayed with warmth and charm by Amanda Assucena of Brazil—through her dreamlike journey. Jose Pablo Castro Cuevas from Mexico offered a whimsical, spirited Nutcracker, while Dylan Gutierrez (California) delivered a suitably menacing yet charismatic Rat King.

One major departure from traditional staging’s is the replacement of the famous Russian dance with a “Wild Bill” exposition act—a nod to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Valentino Moneglia Zamora of Spain brought impressive skill and showmanship to Wild Bill’s lasso routine, giving the scene a fun Chicago twist.
Musically, the experience was outstanding. Hearing Tchaikovsky’s score unamplified in the Lyric Opera House—performed by a superb orchestra under guest conductor Robert McConnell—is worth the price of admission alone. The sound is warm, full, and in its purest form.

Running approximately two hours with a 20-minute intermission, this Nutcracker remains an exciting, colorful, and beautifully crafted holiday staple. While its deviations from the classic may puzzle some long-time traditionalists, the Joffrey’s reimagining continues to offer charm, artistry, and a uniquely Chicago perspective.
“The Nutcracker” will continue thru December 28th with performances as follows:
Saturday: 2pm & 7pm
Sunday: 1pm & 6pm
Thursday & Friday: 7pm
Special performances: Dec. 23 at 2pm & 7pm, Dec. 24 at 2pm
(No performance on Christmas Day.)
Tickets range from $124–$244 and can be purchased at Joffrey.org.
Continuing the holiday tradition—you won’t be disappointed.

The Lyric Opera is located at  20 N. Wacker Drive

to see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Nutcracker”.