The Joffrey Ballet

Elite '08

34

198

Kristen S.

Chicago, IL

We have been going to the Joffrey Ballet for years. Their performances are amazing. Costumes, technical skill, grace. It's just perfect.

The ballet is expensive - upwards of $100 for a night at the ballet for my husband and myself. However, we only do it once a year and are honored to support a Chicago institution like the Joffrey.

Their performances are exciting and beautiful. Do take some time to visit the ballet!

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Elite '08

15

262

Samantha S.

Chicago, IL

I love the Joffrey.

The boy and I are subscribers, and we can't wait for next season. And you know what? It's NOT that expensive. Get the nosebleed orchestra seats, you can see perfectly. And you know what else? It's a really nice change from going to a baseball game. Kind of sacrilegious for Chicago, but it's nice to get glammed up every now and then and take in, what I think, is a much better example of athleticism and artistic expression.

Joffrey is on par with the NYC ballet, and since I'm from NY, and have envied the works of the NYC ballet for years (since I was three ... yeah) that's sayin' a lot for me to admit I like the Joffrey just as much. What's unique about this dance company is they're not afraid to take risks with choreography, and while I definitely prefer the more traditional stuff, the new creative director is at least trying to find ways to keep the ballet fresh and interesting, which I love.

The Twyla Tharp piece they did this past May as part of their American Moderns production was AH-mazing. The piece they did in the clear box was not ballet, but it was ridiculous ... in the very best way.

I always look forward to ballet night. Great Nutcracker production as well. I think I like this Nutcracker better than NYC's.

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7

4

fabrice c.

Chicago, IL

hola la
i love the joffrey too.....
hahahah
i forgot!!!! i am dancing there already!!!

i love myself then!!!!!
hahahah

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Elite '08

15

120

Ariel B.

Chicago, IL

I have not been to the ballet for years.  My friend had an extra ticket for last night's performance of the Antony Tudor Centennial.

It was fantastic.  The dancers were amazing and I loved the costumes.  I forgot how wonderful the ballet is.  So elegant and graceful.  Really just beautiful.

One of the pieces had a baritone on stage, and it really added to the feel of the piece.  I was transfixed with the music and the dancing.  

I really enjoyed myself and hope to see the Joffrey perform again in the future!

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Elite '08

26

45

Kim K.

Chicago, IL

I have to admit, I felt pretty frickin classy heading out on the town all dressed up to see the Joffrey Ballet performing The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theatre....which is a gorgeous theater, the performance was wonderful even from the nosebleed seats, and there was this amazing chick who I swear had to be a contortionist because she could bend in unfathomable ways....given this, wouldn't you think a higher-than-three-star-rating is in order? But see, I have a little problem with the Joffrey Ballet......THEY ARE STALKING ME! SERIOUSLY, I GET CALLS, EMAILS, AND/OR SHIT IN THE MAIL ALMOST DAILY!! LEAVE ME ALONE JOFFERY BALLET, LEAVE ME ALONE TO LIVE MY TOTALLY UNCLASSY LIFE IN PEACE!!! geez.

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Elite '08

72

83

Chris B.

Chicago, IL

Okay -- true confession...I'm a reformed theatre geek. Yup, it's true. Don't let the suit fool you...

I spent my formative years (REALLY formative years...as in, from 5 years old until 24 years old) in theatre, commercials, musicals, teaching and directing middle schoolers improv and creative dramatics and...even ballet. Shudder to think.

A bunch of us guys in high school were dating a gaggle of ballerinas/dancers, and we were all (sweet) talked into being the token 'waltzers' in Cinderella, for their poor guy-depleted winter show. The crew of us: theatre geeks, football players and joe schmoes alike did it, and it was actually pretty fun. One thing it REALLY did was give me a lifelong appreciation for that level of choreography, commitment, discipline and true art. I confess: a much more difficult brand of theatre than that to which I was accustomed.

So long-winded lead-in notwithstanding, I was excited to go see (but embarrassed it took so long) the Joffrey Ballet in their final show of the 06-07 season. Jacky has been a big fan of dance, and has been tugging on my sleeve to go to something dance oriented instead of my usual concert fare (I'm a concert junkie...any venue, any time).

We went to 'Light Rain,' and it was tremendous -- especially 'normal guy friendly' (hate to be stereotypical, but despite my previous comments of appreciation, I'm not sure I could stomach a Saturday evening of a long Nutcracker), it was broken into 6 dances with TWO fan-friendly intermissions. The glorious Auditorium Theatre (a huge artistic triumph that must be experienced) is a perfect venue for dance, and the well planned lighting, music/acoustics and artistry was beyond reproach.

I was less enthralled with the more 'acrobatic' pieces (two dances done with 'wires/trapeze') -- a bit too Cirque de Soleil for my taste -- but LOVED two pieces in particular that featured a bee-bop hipster Bassist slapping the strings, making mouth sounds like a Langston Hughes poem, and 'refereeing' a fight between a couple. The choreography, timing and relationship between the two dancers made me hold my breath at times. Really cool. The other great piece featured a male dancer who was aided by a strobe light -- and he timed (incredible skill) his leaps and moves with the strobe so that at times, it looked like he was floating through the air!!! My favorite piece of the night, hands down. I want to see it again!

There was another humorous dance featuring two Victorian women and some interesting uses for their male partners, but the Company focused highlight, 'Light Rain' was definitely the perfect finale. Very tribal and pulse-pounding, it highlighted individuals strengths, and also incorporated some thrilling poses that have been accented in press pieces and other literature for good reason: they created beautiful art with their bodies.

We are looking forward to seeing some of the work in the Fall for the new season, and while I'm not ready to put on a dance belt and recreate my high school/college thespian urges, I'm definitely ready to go see one of the country's featured dance companies take to the stage again.

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19

78

Kat P.

Palatine, IL

Wow
and wow again

I haven't been to the ballet in years but I work (transparently and not often) in the theatre so often times i go to a show and find myself picking apart a performance, or the set. I did it to Wicked, and to smaller theatres - oh it's horrible!

But i found myself absolutely transfixed by Cinderella last weekend. Just lost in the dancing and music. The scores of little girls with their parents dressed as the legendary girl couldn't have been cuter, but the dancing was just amazing - and to see it - wow. just breathtaking.

I purchased $46 tickets ( I brought the daughter of a friend) and even from the balcony (tickets are in four levels at the Auditorium and you can see wonderfully from any seat) it was a magnificient performance.

Honestly - I feel compelled to go again. Soon. Now.

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Elite '08

271

1076

Ellen M.

Oak Park, IL

For a short time after their 1995 move from NYC they called themselves the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, but they are the Joffrey Ballet once more.  The ballet company is daring and unconventional while focusing (although not exclusively) on the classic stories.  The Nutcracker Suite is shown annually at the Auditorium Theatre, with the Shakespeares and moderns shown in-between.  Chicago is fortunate to have this national treasure.

I see my share of live rock/jazz/classical music, I have season tickets to Steppenwolf Theatre, I mean, I take advantage of the Chicago art scene, whether well-known or obscure, but I don't get enough dance.  I feel a 2007 resolution coming on...

Take your kids, your nieces/nephews, your parents, your date.  Be amazed.

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Elite '08

91

301

Vera D.

San Francisco, CA

Again, my SF bias comes into play.  I LOVE the SF Ballet, and consider them world-class.  I purchased tickets to Romeo and Juliet, and found Romeo's performance a bit disappointing.  He almost fell over twice!  The principal dancer who played Juliet was superb, as was the fellow who played Benvolio.

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