Area stages put myriad spins on ‘The Nutcracker’
If it’s dance you seek, here are some highlights in the weeks ahead:
‘The Nutcracker’
“The Immersive Nutcracker — A Winter Miracle”: Lighthouse Immersive presents a 30-minute immersive experience that introduces young children to the holiday story. Nov. 19-Dec. 31. Lighthouse ArtSpace, 108 W. Germania Place, $29.99; immersive-nutcracker.com
“The Nutcracker:” Art on theMART presents scenes from The Joffrey Ballet’s staging projected on the riverside facade of theMART to the accompaniment of Tchaikovsky’s score. Nov. 19Dec. 30. Best viewed from Wacker between Wells and Franklin, free; artonthemart.com
“The Nutcracker”: Celebrate the holiday season with Ballet Chicago’s staging of the holiday classic. Dec. 9-18. Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport, $19-$59; athenaeumcenter.org
“The Nutcracker”: Von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet’s staging of the classic ballet. Nov. 27. Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago, Joliet, $22.50-$40.50; rialtosquare.com
“The Nut Tapper”: Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin’s annual staging of the holiday classic recreated with rhythms of tap, Spanish flamenco and Mexican zapateado. Dec. 1. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, $20; oldtownschool.org
“The Buttcracker — A Nutcracker Burlesque”: The best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainers present a saucy, alternative, adult retelling of the holiday classic. Dec. 1-31. Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $30-$100; greenhousetheater.org
“The Nutcracker”: The Joffrey Ballet presents Christopher Wheeldon’s reimagining of the holiday classic which sets the tale on Christmas Eve 1892, months before the opening of the 1893 World’s Fair. Dec. 3-27. Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker, $36+; joffrey.org
“The Nutcracker”: Ruth Page Civic Ballet performs Page’s iconic staging of the classic. Dec. 3-4. Northeastern Illinois University, 3701W. Bryn Mawr, $10-$40; neiu. edu/tickets. Dec. 17. James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake, $15-$25; jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
“The Art Deco Nutcracker”: Set in 1920s America, this is A&A Ballet’s fresh take on the holiday favorite. Dec. 3. Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport, $25-$55; athenaeumcenter.org
“The Nutcracker”: Follow Clara through her magical world via Ballet Legere’s staging. Dec. 3-4. Dominican University, Lund
Auditorium, 7900 W. Division, River Forest, $25+; balletlegere.org
“Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet”: An international cast includes stars of Ukraine ballet. Dec. 4. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, $29+; rosemont.com
“The Nutcracker”: Presented by Hyde Park School of Dance, more than 175 dancers perform in this version of the classic that
features ballet, modern dance and hip-hop. Dec. 9-11. Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57th, $13-$44, children 5 and under free; hydeparkdance.org
“Duke It Out! Nutcracker”: The holiday favorite pairs Tchaikovsky’s classical score with the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn version. Dec. 10. The Music Institute of Chicago and Dance Chicago at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago, Evanston, $10; nicholsconcerthall.org
“The Nutcracker”: Salt Creek Ballet’s staging features live accompaniment by the New Philharmonic. Dec. 17-18. McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, $36, $46; atthemac.org
“The Magic of The Nutcracker”: Dancenter North’s staging of the holiday classic. Dec. 21-22. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee, Waukegan, $18-$40; geneseetheatre. com. Dec. 10-11. Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park, Libertyville, $17-$30; dancenter-north.com
More dance
“Sleeping Beauty”: The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs the ballet. Nov. 22. Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago, Joliet, $48$88; visit rialtosquare.com
“Mary, A Holiday Dansical”: Black Girls Dance presents a modern twist on the traditional “Black Nativity.” Dec. 18. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th, $40; blackgirlsdance.org