Joffrey Ballet’s 2024-25 season opens with ‘Atonement’
The Joffrey Ballet has announced its upcoming 2024-25 season in the Lyric Opera House, the company’s 69th season. Along with a return of the annual holiday “The Nutcracker,” highlights include the U.S. premiere of choreographer Cathy Marston’s “Atonement” and Christopher Wheeldon’s adaptation of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
“Atonement” (Oct. 17-27):
British choreographer Marston is known for her literary ballets; the Joffrey performed her “Of Mice and Men” in 2022 and “Jane Eyre” in 2019. “Atonement” is her re-imagining of Ian McEwan’s 2001 novel (also 2007 film). Set in England leading up to World War II, the young writer Briony grapples with the consequences of a lie. With music by Laura Rossi.
“The Nutcracker” (Dec. 6-28):
Set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score, Wheeldon’s “Nutcracker” is a new
Chicago tradition, set at the 1893 World’s Fair.
“Golden Hour” (Feb. 20 to March 2, 2025): A mixed repertoire program,
including the world premiere of choreographer Dani Rowe’s “Princess and the Pea” with music by Jim Stephenson — set in Pea Town, young
Penelopea embarks on a quest to save her parents. Plus Marston’s “Heimat” dance interpretation of Wagner’s symphonic poem “Seigfried Idyll”;
Nicolas Blanc’s “Under the Trees’ Voices” set to Ezio Bosso’s Symphony No. 2; and a world premiere by Yuri Possokhov with a Shostakovich score.
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (June 5-15, 2025):
Wheeldon’s ballet in three acts is based on the Lewis Carroll story. A co-commission by The Royal Ballet, it premiered in 2011. The Joffrey gives Alice her Chicago premiere, with music by Joby Talbot, as she meets the high-strung Queen of Hearts and a tap-dancing Mad Hatter.
Other engagements in the year ahead include “Winning Works” (March 14-23, 2025) by the Joffrey Academy of Dance, the Joffrey with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (April 10-13, 2025) and Joffrey on Tour at Ravinia in Highland Park this coming September.
Three-program subscriptions for the fall, winter and spring season productions (not including “The Nutcracker”) start at $129. Single tickets for the October, February, and June performances, as well as “Nutcracker,” will be available starting this summer. More information at 312-386-8905 and joffrey. org.