It's Your Last Chance To See Robert Joffrey's 'The Nutcracker'

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 1, 2015 6:41PM

Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker. Photo credit The Joffrey Ballet/Cheryl Mann.

The Nutcracker. It’s a holiday classic. Especially in Chicago where Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker has been an annual tradition for 28 years. This month will be the last opportunity to see the founder’s vision though, because The Joffrey Ballet set to ring in a new era next year.

Joffrey originally choreographed his Nutcracker in 1987 and modeled it after his own childhood. Instead of the traditional European setting however, the story was set in a 19th century American-style home with toys that he grew up with. From there, the central character Clara adventures into the fantastical world of mice, toy soldiers and the Sugar Plum Fairy all with colorful costuming and extravagant set by Oliver Smith.

Although the company is retiring Joffrey’s version, The Nutcracker isn’t disappearing completely. For 2016’s holiday season, there will be a new choreographer in town. They’ve tapped of-the-moment choreographer and Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon to create a fresh telling.

In honor of the final season’s opening night this Friday, though, we’ve collected some interesting facts about the production:

• The full Joffrey company is joined by 118 young dancers from the Chicagoland area playing Party Girls and Boys, Polichinelles (Mother Ginger’s children), Battle Mice, Mounted Mice, Soldiers, Snow Tree Angels and Dolls, as well as young vocalists from five different local children’s choirs.


• Since 1987, there have been approximately 500 performances and approximately 996,500 people have seen this production.


• About 2,300 children have performed in The Nutcracker since the Company has been in Chicago.


• The production uses approximately 200 costumes and 172 pairs of boots and shoes.


• This Nutcracker has been performed in Chicago PLUS Washington D.C., Los Angeles, CA, Cleveland, OH, Iowa City, IA, St. Louis, MO, Detroit, MI, Omaha, NE.


• Tours travel with 80 people (15 crew, 45 dancers, and 9 personnel) and uses five 48-foot long semis to transport.


• The production requires 13 carpenters, 11 electricians, 6 prop people, 2 sound techs, 8 wardrobe people and 2 spot operators.


• 100 pounds of “snow” falls every performance—50,000 lbs over the show's 28 years.

The final season of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker runs from December 4 through 27 at Auditorium Theater. Check The Joffrey Ballet’s website for showtimes. Tickets range from $32 to $136.