Preview: Spring Program/Joffrey Ballet

Victoria Jaiani and Fabrice Calmels/Photo: Cheryl Mann

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As the winds grow warmer and trees burst into flower, the Joffrey season closes on an appropriately romantic note; the Spring Program is comprised of four works about love—a theme broad enough to leave room for a diverse program and one I hope will exploit the versatility of the Joffrey dancers as successfully as their previous performance (in which the company seamlessly shifted between a minimalist acrobatic pas de trois based on Calder mobiles, the reconstruction of Nijinsky’s riot-inducing “Le Sacre du Printemps” and a blithe, lighthearted number by Gerald Arpino, former artistic director of the Joffrey). The tribute to Arpino—who passed away last year—continues with an uncharacteristically somber piece: “Ronde d’Anges,” about the parting of lovers at death. The celebration of the Ballet Russe centennial concludes with “Les Noces,” an ensemble piece choreographed by Bronislava Nijinska, Vaslav Nijinsky’s sister. Also on the program is “Valses Poeticos,” a tender duet originally choreographed by Helgi Tomasson (AD of the phenomenal San Francisco Ballet) for Ashley Wheater, Arpino’s capable successor. The headlining piece is the Joffrey premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s work set to the score of the musical “Carousel.” (Sharon Hoyer)

At the Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, (312)902-1500. May 1-3 and 8-10. $25-$145.

Complementary Opposites: A Preview of "Serenade" and "Of Mice and Men" by the Joffrey Ballet “Both [ballets] are trying to deal with a particular time: One by healing with the beauty of dance, the other by trying to create empathy for beaten-down humanity. Right now, we’re facing some of the same issues, such as huge migrations from the workplace. Steinbeck shone a light on his time, and I hope we’re able to do the same.”
Whole and Connected: The Joffrey Ballet presents Justin Peck's "The Times Are Racing" Youth culture is at the heart of Peck’s ballet, which is danced in sneakers and streetwear to the second half of electronic musician Dan Deacon’s “America” album.
Sheer Wonderment: A Review of The Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker at The Lyric Opera House Joffrey Ballet performs a miracle, turning this holiday chestnut into something not just fresh and new, but also relevant and provocative.
Not Quixotic Enough: A Review of the Joffrey Ballet's "Don Quixote" at the Lyric Opera House Performance-wise, the Joffrey Ballet's production of Yuri Possokhov's “Don Quixote,” running through June 12 at the Lyric Opera House, is terrific, displaying the company’s trademark combination of sterling technique and dramatic flair. There’s not a false step (other than the pratfalls by the effete aristocrat, Gamache, played with clownish glee on six-inch heels by Fernando Duarte) or an inelegant line…
From Words, Movement: The Joffrey Ballet Brings Cathy Marston's "Jane Eyre" to Chicago Cathy Marston's translation of the gothic romance opens the Joffrey's final season on the Auditorium Theatre stage.
Bodily Grace, Spiritual Fire: A Review of Joffrey Ballet's "Home: A Celebration" at the Lyric Opera House The Joffrey Ballet's triumphal return to live performance is a multi-sensory delight that serves as a joyful homecoming for a crown jewel of Chicago’s cultural scene.

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