Watch the magic unfold during various Chicago-area performances of 'The Nutcracker'

Posted December 14, 2021 10:00 pm

The Joffrey Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" re-imagines the classic show as a journey through the 1893 World's Fair. The show runs through Dec. 26 at Chicago's Lyric Opera House. Courtesy of Cheryl Mann

Daily Herald reports

The story of a young girl who receives a Christmas present that takes her on a magical journey, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's classic ballet "The Nutcracker" is an enduring holiday tradition. Here are some upcoming performances:

Joffrey Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 16 and 17; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 21-23; 1 and 6 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 19 and 26; and 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. Set to Tchaikovsky's classic score, Christopher Wheeldon's re-imagined "Nutcracker" follows young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on a Christmas Eve journey through the 1893 World's Fair. $35-$177. joffrey.org.

Elsie Flagg Academy of Dance 'Nutcracker'

7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Set to the beloved score by Tchaikovsky, Therese Davis, formerly of the Philadelphia Ballet, will portray Sugar Plum, with Darrell Haggard, formerly of the Grand Rapids Ballet, as the Cavalier. $37; $27 for children. www.eliseflagg.com/nutcracker-2021 or northcentral.vbotickets.com/events.

Engage Dance Theater's 'The Nutcracker'

1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Engage Dance Theater performs a full-length, newly choreographed production. $16-$30. www.rauecenter.org.

Performances of Ruth Page Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker" will be held at 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the College of Lake County's Grayslake Campus. Courtesy of the College of Lake County

Ruth Page's 'The Nutcracker'

1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The Ruth Page Center for the Art's 50th Anniversary Season continues with this holiday spectacle featuring international artists alongside the Ruth Page Civic Ballet Training Company's elite dancers. Tickets: $25 adults; $22 seniors 65 and older; $20 CLC faculty, staff and alumni; $15 CLC students and teens (13-17) with an adult; and $10 for kids 12 and younger. RuthPage.org.

'The Nutcracker Short & Sweet'

2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Judith Svalander Dance Theatre transforms the Opera House stage into a realm of fantasy. Experience Clara's magical and enchanting journey as Tchaikovsky's music is brought to life through Svalander's ballet company. $20. (815) 338-5300 or www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

Audrey Giltner performs in a previous production of Salt Creek Ballet's "The Nutcracker." See this year's show at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of Keith Gerling

Salt Creek Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. With a Christmas tree that grows nearly 60 feet tall, 125 exquisite costumes, internationally recognized guest soloists and live music by New Philharmonic, this production offers all of the grandeur of the timeless tale. $36-$46. (630) 942-4000 or www.atthemac.org.

'Magic of the Nutcracker'

6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 21-22, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Dancenter North's 33rd anniversary performance featuring more than 100 performers, elaborate sets and Tchaikovsky's iconic score. $18-$40. www.geneseetheatre.com.

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