A Christmas Tradition

The Nutcracker

What would the holidays be, especially in Chicago, without a visit to some of the spectacular entertainment events that have become a Christmas Tradition? Two of the must-see family productions during the holidays include the Goodman Theatre’s excellent “A Christmas Carol” and the Joffrey Ballet’s magnificent presentation of “The Nutcracker.” Performing once again at the opulent Lyric Opera House, this version of the iconic magical tale only gets greater and more grandiose with each production every year.

Seven years ago, acclaimed Broadway director and Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (“MJ, the Musical,” “An American in Paris”) was asked to create a new Chicago version of the familiar ballet. The Joffrey Ballet’s familiar holiday masterpiece is still loosely based upon the story, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” by E.T.A. Hoffmann. But Caldecott Award-winning children’s author/illustrator, Brian Selznick ( The Invention of of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck) was commissioned to write a new book for the Joffrey’s production. His imaginative story sets the ballet in 1893 during the construction of the Columbian World’s Exposition in Chicago. It focuses on the immigrant communities that helped build the spectacular fair, and still boasts the gorgeous Tchaikovsky score.  

The glorious Nutcracker suite is one of the finest works by Russian compose, Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (“Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake”). The  two-act classical ballet, which came a few years later, premiered in 1892 and, since that time, it’s become incredibly popular at this time of year, especially in North America. Major Ballet companies around the country include “The Nutcracker” in their annual repertoire. Because it’s a favorite at Christmastime, a ballet company knows that it can generate about 40% of their yearly ticket revenue from its production. For the Joffrey Ballet production, music director extraordinaire, Scott Speck, conducts the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Selznick’s story, staged by Nicolas Blanc, Adam Blyde and Kristen McGarrity, begins outside the construction site for the Fair on Chicago’s South side. A young girl named Marie (Annabelle de la Nuez), and her younger brother Franz (Sheppard Littrell), encounter a gang of street boys who are stealing from the wealthier holiday shoppers. Franz is thus inspired to steal a package wrapped in red from a man. When the children return home to their humble, wooden shack, their widowed Mother (Amanda Assucena), who’s a statue sculptress for the Columbian Exposition, is putting the final touches on a Christmas Eve party. All the immigrant workers have been invited, but a mysterious visitor called the Great Impresario (Alberto Velazquez) sweeps into the hovel. He and his apprentice, Peter (Jose Pablo Castro Cuevas) perform magic for the guests and hand out presents. However, the mysterious man presents Marie with a Nutcracker.

After everyone leaves the party, Marie, Franz and her Mother go to sleep. During the night, the Great Imposter returns, casting a spell over their scrubby Christmas tree until grows into a grand spectacle of evergreen and ornaments. The Nutcracker becomes human-sized and battles the evil Rat King (Dylan Gutierrez), who has kidnapped Franz and threatens Marie. After defeating the villain and rescuing the children, the Great Impresario transforms the Nutcracker into Prince Peter. When it starts to snow, he takes Marie and the Nutcracker Prince in his enchanted gondola off through the night to where the Columbian Exposition is now magically completed. There they meet the Queen of the Fair, who’s all dressed in Gold and who looks very much like Marie’s Mother. As they move through the pavilions from other lands, Marie and the Prince marvel at the array of worldwide entertainment, performed at the Joffrey by a truly talented international cast of beautiful ballet dancers.

The spectacle that’s created by the astonishing technical artistry of this production is simply jaw-dropping. All the colorful and elaborately detailed sets, costumes and masks are designed by the gifted Julian Crouch. The delightful Puppetry design is courtesy of Basil Twist, who also directs the effects construction. The incredible projections that make this presentation so special are by 59 Productions; and Natasha Katz’s brilliant lighting design adds magic, mood and mystery to the production.

The Nutcracker is as special as the holiday itself. It’s a gorgeous, glittery Christmas tradition that should be experienced at least once in everyone’s lifetime. And, without being hyperbolic, the Joffrey’s current production is simply stellar. The popular ballet, which reimagines the familiar Hoffmann story, features a talented, international corps of ballet stars, choreographed by a gifted Broadway luminary and supported by an army of outstanding musicians and theater artists. This is most definitely a must-see Christmas miracle.               

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented December 2-27 by the Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the Lyric Opera box office, by calling 312-386-8905 or by going to www.joffrey.org/Nutcracker.com

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.