Joffrey Ballet discloses more details about new ‘Nutcracker’

The Joffrey Ballet has been keeping details of the scenario for its new $4 million production of “The Nutcracker” under wraps to a great extent. But slowly, more details about the ballet — which is being choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon (director-choreographer of the Broadway hit, “An American in Paris”), and been given a fresh, Chicago-oriented story line (devised in collaboration with author-illustrator Brian Selznick (a Caldecott Medal Award-winner for “The Invention of Hugo Cabret”) _ are being divulged.

Here is the description just released by the Joffrey about its world premiere production at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress, with 27 performances running Dec. 10 – 30:

In a prepared statement, the Joffrey’s artistic director, Ashley Wheater noted: “The World’s Columbian Exposition changed Chicago history, heralding its stature as a great American city. This was a time of optimism and dynamic growth. Having settled the frontier, America embraced its place in the world. Imagine visiting the Fair, with its massive scale, gleaming architecture, exotic foreign pavilions and raucous midway. For a visitor, young or old, the experience must have been wonderful. Christopher Wheeldon and his creative team have captured this spirit in our new ‘Nutcracker.’ Perhaps more importantly, they have found fresh meaning at the heart of the ballet’s story. Rather than arriving at the ‘land of sweets’, Marie’s fantastic journey brings her to a loving home in a new land.”

The Chicago Philharmonic, led by Joffrey music director Scott Speck, will perform the classic Tchaikovsky score for every performance. The full Joffrey company also will be joined onstage by more than 90 young dancers from the Chicagoland area, and young vocalists from four different local children’s choirs.

Preview performances of Wheeldon’s “The Nutcracker” will take place Dec. 1 – 4 at the University of Iowa’s new Hancher Auditorium. A longstanding artistic and creative partner to the Joffrey, Hancher Auditorium originally commissioned Robert Joffrey’s version of “The Nutcracker” in 1987.