Alexander Ekman’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. / Photo: Hans Nilsson.
1 Midsummer Night’s Dream (Auditorium Theatre) The Joffrey Ballet’s North American premiere of Alexander Eckman’s spectacular ode to the longest day of the year is set in Scandinavia and features live accompaniment by Swedish indie rocker Anna von Hausswolff and members of the Chicago Philharmonic. April 25-May 6
2 Art in Response (Ebenezer Lutheran Church) Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s evening of short repertory works calls attendees to action and includes a new piece about hope in the face of struggle, inspired by letters from incarcerated men. Fridays and Saturdays, May 4-19
3 Trashed (Hamlin Park Fieldhouse) Modern dance and circus arts combine in Winifred Haun’s performance about accumulation of stuff and the barriers it creates in human relationships. May 3 & 4
4 Tejiendo Caminos (Weaving Paths) (National Museum of Mexican Art) Dancer and acro-yoga practitioner Silvita Diaz Brown performs two original pieces exploring her Mexican heritage and acquired American culture as part of the Sor Juana Festival, honoring female activists in the arts. May 9
5 Don Quixote (Auditorium Theatre) Ballet Nacional de Cuba returns to Chicago for the first time in fifteen years, performing artistic director Alicia Alonso’s rendition of the classic story ballet, accompanied by the Chicago Philharmonic. May 18-20
Dance Top 5: October 2018 October dance runs the gamut from whimsical to profound, narrative to abstract, in styles and genres to suit every taste.
Dance Top 5: November 2018 November dance highlights visiting and Chicago-based companies; often in the same night.
Stage Top 5: December 2018 Hot, bothered and blue collared, these world premieres and classic mishaps will keep the dawning reality of yet another Midwest winter at bay, at least temporarily.
Stage Top 5: October 2018 This month features a slate of local, regional and national premieres as well as a feminist opera celebrating its twentieth anniversary.
Stage Top 5: November 2018 The latest from Ike Holter, a pop-inspired musical about the cultural constraints placed on women and a universe-crossing Afrofuturist fable are just a few of the consciousness-expanding shows opening this month.
