REIMAGINING THE NUTCRACKER
MAKES IT EVEN MORE MAGICAL
In the Joffrey Ballet’s spellbinding reimagining of The Nutcracker, choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and Artistic Director Ashley Wheater have conjured a delicious historical confection that transports audiences to the threshold of one of the most magical moments of Chicago history.
The Joffrey Ballet Ensemble
Anabelle de la Nuez and Alberto Velazquez
Set in 1892 Chicago, while the city is preparing for the World’s Columbian Exposition, Marie (Anabelle de la Nuez on opening night) and her family host a modest but love-filled Christmas party in their humble home. The Great Impresario of the World’s Fair (this production’s version of Uncle Drosselmeyer) joins the party, bringing with him warmth, magic, and a wagon of Christmas presents, including a nutcracker for Marie (the original name of Clara’s character in the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann). When Marie falls asleep that night, she dreams of a magical world in which her Nutcracker comes to life, and they escape to a fantastical imagining of the World’s Columbian Exposition.
Anabelle de la Nuez and José Pablo Castro Cuevas
The genius of this production lies in its meticulous historical imagination. By embedding the story within the preparations for the World’s Fair, Wheeldon creates a metaphorical landscape where dreams, innovation, and magic intersect. Alberto Velazquez‘s Great Impresario and Amanda Assucena‘s dual roles as Marie’s Mother and the Queen of the Fair anchor Marie’s dream world to her reality.
The Joffrey Ballet Ensemble
Tchaikovsky’s immortal score, conducted by Scott Speck, transports the audience between Marie’s waking world and the expansive, multicultural dreamscape of the World’s Fair. This setting makes sense of the tour through dances of different cultures in a way that no other production of The Nutcracker that I’ve seen has been able to do.
The children’s cast deserves special mention. They hold their own on a stage with the best of the best professional ballerinas and their joy is not merely charming but integral to the magic that is The Nutcracker.
Joffrey's Academy Students
I have said before and I’ll say again, I am not an expert on dance, so have little to contribute to a serious critique of the choreography or execution, but in my humble opinion it was technically flawless. I was in awe of each and every performance. The design elements too were appropriately spectacular—everything you want out of The Nutcracker. I can’t think of anything more magical than snow pouring down on the snowflakes and ice cavaliers as they dance.
Lauren Quinn and The Joffrey Ballet Ensemble
The Joffrey Ballet has taken this holiday class and turned it into a love letter to Chicago. This production honors tradition while boldly reimagining the ballet. It’s both something old and something new, and I think sometimes for everyone. I could have easily sat through two more hours of this winter magic. It is utterly enchanting, and if you can still grab a ticket before it sells out, I highly recommend it.
Victoria Jaiani and Edson Barbosa (photo by Todd Rosenberg)
photos by Katie Miller
Zachary Manske and Wictor Hugo Pedroso
Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet
Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive
ends on December 28, 2025
for tickets, call 312.386.8905 or visit Joffrey
for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago
Anabelle de la Nuez, Alberto Velazquez and Amanda Assucena
