DANCING HOME
The Joffrey Ballet opens its inaugural season at the Lyric Opera House and marks its return to live performances with Home: A Celebration, a triumphant mixed repertory program that spotlights original works by today’s rising stars including Brooklyn-based Chanel DaSilva, Joffrey Rehearsal Director Nicolas Blanc, and Joffrey Artist Yoshihisa Arai, plus a remount of a beloved ballet classic choreographed by Joffrey co-founder, the late Gerald Arpino. Visit Joffrey for tickets.
Home: A Celebration
October 13–24, 2021 (10 performances)
Evan Boersma, Edson Barbosa, Fernando Duarte, Stefan Goncalvez, Hyuma Kiyosawa in Swing Low.
Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Birthday Variations, choreographed by Joffrey co-founder Gerald Arpino with music by Giuseppe Verdi, was commissioned in 1986 by Becky D’Angelo as a birthday present to her husband Dino, who owned Chicago’s Civic Opera House and loved Verdi’s music. This lively and melodic ballet is considered one of Arpino’s most popular creations.
Edson Barbosa, Evan Boersma, Fernando Duarte, Stefan Goncalvez, Hyuma Kiyosawa in Swing Low.
Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Joffrey’s 2020 Winning Works choreographer Chanel DaSilva finds beauty in the complex and multifaceted experience of what it means to be human with her work, Swing Low an original creation for five men, set to the avant-garde rhythms of cellist and composer Zoë Keating. Swing Low reflects DaSilva’s deep connection to the transformative power of the arts and the indelible joy of movement. The Joffrey’s world premiere of Swing Low will take place at Ravinia on September 17, 2021.
Amanda Assucena, Alberto Velazquez, Christine Rocas in Under the Trees' Voices.
Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Under the Trees’ Voices is the newest ballet from Joffrey Rehearsal Director Nicolas Blanc and channels the power of community in the age of social distancing. During this world premiere for the stage, four distinct sections set to Symphony No. 2 by Italian composer Bosso, imagines a future of hope and unity. Under the Trees’ Voices had its world premiere, virtually, on April 30, 2021 as part of Joffrey’s Studio Series.
Anais Bueno in Boléro. Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Joffrey Company Artist Yoshihisa Arai takes audiences on a journey through time and space with Boléro. During this world premiere for the stage, 15 dancers take inspiration from the seminal score of the same name by composer Maurice Ravel, and are adorned in costumes designed by Joffrey Company Artist Temur Suluashvili. Boléro had its world premiere, virtually, on February 12, 2021 as part of Joffrey’s Studio Series.