Best Bets: Joffrey Ballet's lavish 'Nutcracker' returns

Posted November 30, 2021 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

The Joffrey Ballet stages its 1893 Columbian Exposition-inspired version of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago Dec. 4-26. Courtesy of Cheryl Mann, Joffrey Ballet

1893 again

The Joffrey Ballet revives Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's version that resets the action to Chicago in anticipation of the influential 1893 Columbian Exposition. Performances start Saturday at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $35-$183. (312) 386-8905 or joffrey.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday (also Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 21-23); 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday (also Dec. 15; 2 p.m. only Dec. 24); from Dec. 4-26

Unique art

Shop for special art creations at the One of a Kind Holiday Show and Sale Chicago at the theMart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. $10 daily admission; free for kids 12 and younger with paying guardian. (312) 527-4141 or oneofakindshowchicago.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 2-4, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5

"Princess Diana Exhibition: Accredited Access" at the Oakbrook Center features images taken by royal photographer Anwar Hussein and his two sons, Zak and Samir, like this 1983 shot of Diana, Princess of Wales, at a banquet in Nova Scotia, Canada. Courtesy of Anwar Hussein, Getty Images, 1983

Royal glamour

See the work of photographers Anwar Hussein and his two sons, Zak and Samir, with the pop-up of a "Princess Diana Accredited Access Exhibition" now at Oakbrook Center, 19 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook. $25-$46; discounts for seniors, students or military. princessdianaexhibit.com/chicago. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; through Jan. 8

The "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular" tours to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Friday, Dec. 3. Courtesy of Cirque Musica

Fantastic feats

Get a healthy dose of seasonal carols mixed with performances by acrobats, aerialists, contortionists and more with the touring "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular" at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35-$185. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3

Caroling around

Hear seasonal favorites and rare choral treasures from around the world when Chicago a cappella performs "Holidays a cappella" starting this weekend at multiple locations: Friday at St. Josaphat Church, 2311 N. Southport Ave., Chicago; Saturday at Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park; Sunday at Community United Methodist Church, 20 Center St., Naperville; Dec. 10 at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Delaware Place, Chicago; Dec. 11 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; Dec. 12 at Pilgrim Congregational, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. $33-$45. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 and 10, in Chicago; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Highland Park; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, in Naperville; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, in Evanston; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, in Oak Park; online event at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20

Wilmette native Sarah Ruhl and composer Matthew Aucoin have adapted her 2003 play "Eurydice" into a 2020 opera. Soprano Erin Morley stars in the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast in participating movie theaters on Saturday and Wednesday, Dec. 4 and 8. Courtesy of Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera

Underworld explorer

Soprano Erin Morley stars in the title role of "Eurydice," a 2020 opera by composer Matthew Aucoin and librettist (and Wilmette native) Sarah Ruhl that explores the timeless Orpheus myth from the deceased heroine's perspective. Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman's production is screened around the world via the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series on Saturday and Wednesday at participating movie theaters. Prices vary by venue, but largely $19 to $25. For locations, prices and times, visit fathomevents.com. Live simulcast: 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4; taped encores at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8

Holiday pop

Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Black Eyed Peas are just a few of the acts scheduled to appear at the Jingle Ball holiday pop tour at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $50-$75; $25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7

Rocky LaPorte performs Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Chris Haston/NBC

Amusing amici

Expect plenty of laughs by spending "An Evening With Rocky LaPorte and Friends." The set of standup comedians appear on Wednesday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8

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