The Joffrey Ballet Says Farewell To Robert Joffrey's 'The Nutcracker,' Hello To A New Commission

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 17, 2015 8:30PM

Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker. Photo by Herbert Migdoll.

The Joffrey Ballet just announced details for its 60th Anniversary season beginning this fall, which included some big news: After 29 years, this will be the final season of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker. The tradition isn’t disappearing completely though, as renowned contemporary choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has been commissioned to re-envision the holiday classic for 2016.

Over his eight years at the helm, Artistic Director Ashley Wheater has taken the company on a fresh course while still honoring its classical roots. This anniversary season “will celebrate the evolution of the company and its many landmarks,” says Wheater, with three world premieres, a farewell to the namesake’s version of The Nutcracker, and the revival of one of Robert Joffrey’s favorite ballets, Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella.

The season kicks off in September with a one-weekend program called "Millennials" which includes the Joffrey premiere of another piece from Wheeldon, Fool’s Paradise.