The Joffrey Ballet caps a spectacular 2022-23 season with the long-awaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeiers The Little Mermaid. Those headed to the Lyric Opera House hoping to encounter a certain seafaring ginger princess are in for a surprise. Follow her @Araceli1010. April 29, 2023 / 9:36 AM We know that people are really wanting to come back to the theater, said Wheater. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601. "The Little Mermaid" is playing at The Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, through April 30, 2023. Theyre just so incredibly moving and beautiful.. Carolyn McCabe / Courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet, Spring 2023 art and culture guide: Find nearly 60 concerts, plays and more, Nine great ways to see the best of Chicago dance this spring, Edgewater man started creating crossword puzzles to ward off pandemic boredom, gets published by The New York Times, How Chance the Rappers Acid Rap changed an industry and Chicago, Illinois assault weapons ban enforcement blocked by federal judge in southern Illinois, West Side travel agent takes Chicago youth on field trips at home and abroad. Its really going to take a confluence of both audiences coming back, but then additional government support for this important work, philanthropic support and reexamination of the business model, said Rice. Please enter valid email address to continue. In the News. She is also a published poet and an exhibited visual artist. Performances & Tickets 22-23 Season 'The Little Mermaid' Program Book 'The Little Mermaid' Program Book Beyond Borders The Nutcracker Anna Karenina The Little Mermaid Winning Works 2023 Joffrey leadership welcomes you to 'The Little Mermaid', with additional notes and insights from the artists. Intense theatricality. The Joffrey Ballet presents John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid. Much more in keeping with the darkness of Hans Christian Andersens 1837 fairy tale, this nearly 2-hour adaptation is meditative, intense, unsettling and sometimes even grim. The Joffrey premiere continues through April 30 at the Lyric Opera House. Although the Prince is unable to see the Mermaid, her presence embraces him. But not all arts organizations are feeling Wheaters confidence in audiences. The semi-abstract sets, designed by Neumeier, who also served as costume and lighting designer, are both low and high tech. Determined to become human, the little Mermaid searches for the Sea Witch. Wheater said Joffrey is confident that large audiences are ready to come back out for live arts and support the production. Register or Buy Tickets, Price information. Joffrey Ballet's 'The Little Mermaid' final shows happening this weekend By Jeramie Bizzle April 29, 2023 / 9:36 AM / CBS Chicago CHICAGO (CBS) -- Time is running out to watch the Joffrey. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Neumeiers first professional gig was at the Lyric Opera in 1961, where he performed Ruth Pages choreography in the world premiere of Vittorio Gianninis English-language opera The Harvest. He trained at Chicagos revered Stone-Camryn School of Ballet and danced in the company of modern dance legend Sybil Shearer, but has spent the bulk of his life in Europe. But the creative mind of John Neumeier, truly, is like no other; iconoclastic to the core, Neumeier is consistently weird and wonderful but not everyones cup of tea. Victoria Jaiani practicing for her performance as the Little Mermaid. The Plot:Most of this act shows the Mermaids torment. Wheater hopes big productions like The Little Mermaid meet the audiences longing for live performances post-pandemic. Because of that, and the sheer difficulty of everything about this production from Neumeiers unnatural movement language to undulating LED color-changing light tubes depicting the oceans surface to Auerbachs gorgeous, unforgiving (and nearly uncountable) score has to be perfect to be legible. While the ballet and the Disney film share certain narrative landmarks, you wont find thingamabobs or dancing lobsters here. 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Little Mermaid, which premiered in 2005 at the Royal Danish Ballet, is a fresh, fiercely original work by John Neumeier, the longtime director and chief choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet. Intense theatricality. It is a huge, huge undertaking in terms of scenic and in terms of choreography, said Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet Ashley Wheater. Notice how the Poets movements seem slower and more deliberate than those of Edvard and the wedding party, and how both groups have different stylized movements that convey their thoughts and emotions. South Loop Studios. But many other arts organizations are still struggling and in fact facing increasing fiscal problems as pandemic relief funds expire. (Cheryl Mann / HANDOUT). 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Joffrey Ballet proudly presents "The Little Mermaid". THE LITTLE MERMAID Choreographer: John Neumeier Joffrey Ballet + Add to Google Calendar + iCal / Outlook export Tags: Joffrey Ballet, Joffrey Ballet 2022-2023 Season, John Neumeier, Lyric Opera House, The Little Mermaid The show undertakes a haunting version of the tale we're all familiar with. Her body is crumpled into itself and she tentatively extends and examines her new legs and wobbles as she tries to stand up. A gripping tableau of shadows and colors, Neumeiers beautifully haunting interpretation of Hans Christian Andersens 1837 fairytale follows the tormented mermaid heroine on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and seaone utterly complex, the other magnificently serene. And finally, Joffrey looks to Hans Christian Andersen with the company premiere of The Little Mermaid, John Neumeier's spellbinding, unflinching adaptation of the fairy tale that features music by contemporary composer Lera Auerbach. Wheater said its been wonderful to see the support from the audience and they feel encouraged as they stage the ambitious production of The Little Mermaid after putting it on hold for two years. High drama. To come and see these beautiful dancers that are at the top of their professional life deliver such extraordinary performances. The Joffreys move in 2020 from the Auditorium theater to the larger stage at the Lyric Opera House opened up the possibility of a grand production with 46 dancers spread across two casts, and enormous set designs including a boat with a 28 foot chimney. The Story of John Neumeier's 'The Little Mermiad' A Tale of Memories, Fantasies, and Longing PROLOGUE During a sea voyage, a Poet remembers the wedding of his dear friend Edvard to Henriette. Joffrey Box Office 312.386.8905. While largely following the original plot, it adds the Andersen-like character of the Poet (Stefan Goncalvez), an odd, anachronistic and socially inept figure who shapes and intervenes in the tale that follows but also fearfully shirks from it at times. Look closely at The Little Mermaid and one can glimpse all these influences. So, as much as the ballet is a story of a mermaid who longs for love and pines to be human, it is also about the power of fantasy, imagination and words. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. The Joffrey Ballet closes its 67th season with the Chicago premiere of John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid. Others were kind of a hot mess on opening night and could have benefited from a bit more time in the studio. In short:High drama. A gripping tableau of shadows and colors, Neumeier's world-renowned production of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 tragic folktale follows the tormented mermaid heroine on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and seaone . However, instead of happily ever after, she now has a front row seat to watch his developing relationship with the Princess. Love gives the little Mermaid courage to beg for a human body. As it turns out, deals with the devil rarely pan out. Category Notice how these costumes act almost like props and change the way the dancers move. Joffrey Ballets Little Mermaid unsettles as it entrances, 'Chicago Tribune' Review: Enchanting Little Mermaid is one of Joffrey Ballets most ambitious projects yet, Bravura Ballerina Leads a Strange but Stunningly Performed Take on The Little Mermaid. Joffrey leadership welcomes you to 'The Little Mermaid', with additional notes and insights from the artists. Unable to be with the Prince, whos now engaged to the Princess, and trapped by the rooms and walls of the human world, she becomes desperate. Chicago is right to honor Neumeier, who marks his 50thand final season as head of Hamburg Ballet this year. Weaving in and among a corps de ballet that mimics swaying coral and schools of fish, the Mermaid saves Gutierrez, whos gone overboard to retrieve a golf ball inadvertently lobbed over the deck railing of his White Star-esque ship. The Joffrey's 'Little Mermaid' reaches for audience with its largest non-'Nutcracker' production The ballet company is reporting a strong season so far and hopes the massive production. Most unusual and perhaps the key ingredient is Auerbachs use of the theremin, an electronic instrument invented in 1928. With sets and costumes of the grandest scale, this critically acclaimed production is the largest-ever in The Joffrey Ballet's history. CBS-Chicago . Perhaps most striking are the suspended, curved lines of inlaid LED lights that elegantly evoke waves when combined with blue general lighting and a watery backdrop. She tentatively wakes him. See casting information for 'The Little Mermaid'. The Joffreys Little Mermaid reaches for audience with its largest non-Nutcracker production. 1920 South Wabash Avenue . When the Sea Witch appears, a terrible storm erupts and the Prince is in danger of drowning; the Poet wills the little Mermaid to rescue him. It is only then that there is a duet suggesting real connection, as the Poet and Little Mermaid (Victoria Jaiani) each clasp their hands above their bodies in a circular gesture, oscillating back and forth, the Poet then wrapping his circled arms around the Mermaid and resting them on her outstretched arms in the same pose. But the Mermaid cant do it. Magical sets. The Joffrey Ballet will close its 67th season with the long-awaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeier's hauntingly . I cant explain the Samurai and wont try. Tickets start at $36. So the Sea Witch offers a solution: he says if she kills the Prince, shell get her tail back and be able to go home. Jaiani falls in love with him and seeks to be part of his world. She barters for human legs with the Sea Witch and is dropped on the beach to figure the rest out on her own. The Joffrey Ballet closes its 67th season with the long-awaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeier's beautifully haunting interpretation of The Little Mermaid. This hauntingly beautiful production blends dance, dramatic storytelling and. All casting is subject to change. Read full article. Joffrey's release emphasizes that . Note: The next Joffrey production will be "The Little Mermaid," a ballet by John Neumeier running April 19-30 at the Lyric Opera House. While the ballet and the Disney film share certain narrative landmarks, you wont find thingamabobs or dancing lobsters here. One major complication for the choreographer in creating this ballet was how to make dancers look like they had fins, not legs. Joffrey Ballet: The Little Mermaid . The Joffrey Ballet caps a spectacular 2022-23 season with the long-awaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeiers The Little Mermaid. Those headed to the Lyric Opera House hoping to encounter a certain seafaring ginger princess are in for a surprise. Though its pacing and narrative may flounder, the sheer creative ingenuity and an enrapturing performance from Gayeon Jung make "The Little Mermaid" an unmissable entry in Joffrey's expansive repertoire. This ballet could not exist without the rich, deeply expressive score by Lera Auerbach, a Soviet-born Austrian American composer who shows herself to be every bit a successor in this realm to Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. At the same time, Yoshihisa Arai (retiring at the end of the 2022-23 season) could hardly be more menacing as the Sea Witch, with his white-and-black face paint and his lurking, crouching and serpentine moves. In short: High drama. Tickets are on sale for all three performances and start at $36. South Loop Studios. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. As the Mermaid watches in despair, the Prince falls for the Princess. Ever since we started our season back in October, running through The Nutcracker and then Anna Karenina, we have seen our audiences come back.. First published on April 29, 2023 / 9:36 AM. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. The Joffrey Ballet will present 10 performances of "The Little Mermaid" at the Lyric Opera House. Bells sound as a group of convent schoolgirls arrive at the seashore. Migrant children have been put to work in hazardous jobs, in violation of child labor laws, according to recent news reports. And Dylan Gutierrez is at his finest as the Prince, who is present in nearly every scene but still comes off as blithely disconnected to everyone including his wife. Magical sets. (Cheryl Mann / HANDOUT). So before the lights come up on the performance be sure to read the synopsis of the work printed in your program. The Plot:We meet the Poet at the bottom of the sea, where his desire for Edvard takes shape as a mermaid who dreams of visiting the human world. Look for the way her movement conveys pain and agony. The Story of John Neumeier's 'The Little Mermiad', Your Ultimate Guide to 'The Little Mermaid'. During a sea voyage, a Poet remembers the wedding of his dear friend Edvard to Henriette. Administrative Offices . The Director and Chief Choreographer of The Hamburg Ballet has continually focused on the preservation of ballet tradition while giving his works a modern dramatic framework. Dylan Gutierrez is an obvious choice for the Prince, but the role a bumbling machismo one minute and profoundly sensitive in the next fits him like a glove, as does an uncommon pairing with Anais Bueno as the love interest who frequently finds a fishy girl in her way. He settled on long pants that seem to flow as if in water. Event starts on Wednesday, 19 April 2023 and happening at Civic Opera House, Chicago, IL. Instead of some kind of prosthetic fish tail, the Little Mermaid wore billowy blue pants with huge bell bottoms that trailed 2 or 3 feet beyond her feet. But the creative mind of John Neumeier, truly, is like no other; iconoclastic to the core, Neumeier is consistently weird and wonderful but not everyones cup of tea. Studios . That includes visual arts all across the art spectrum, so I think its even higher for the performing arts folks.. Joffrey Ballet's "The Little Mermaid" is an ambitious, bold reimagining of a familiar story. One of the girls, a Princesslooking very much like Henriettediscovers the Prince. Season Performances. He gives the little Mermaid a lethal knife, promising that if she kills the Prince, her tail will be restored, and she will be able to return home in the deep sea. Expanded Educational Programs. The little Mermaid now has legs. We conducted a brief survey of the entire field showing 41% in November of 2022 are still seeing significant revenue loss for their organization, said Rice. This Little Mermaid is a macabre deep-dive into Hans Christian Andersens 1837 literary fairy tale. Intense theatricality. 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Thats way below the $9 million in ticket sales reported in 2018-2019, but it is a bounce back from pandemic lows. This act is all about the Mermaids psychology. All of her work is interconnected as part of a cohesive and comprehensive artistic worldview. This prologue serves as a framing narrative for the rest of the ballet and introduces us to the Poet and Edvard. It is the Poets love for his Mermaid that gives her the soul that will make her immortal, just as she, The Little Mermaid, will immortalize him. Victoria Jaiani and ensemble in "The Little Mermaid" by Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House. She finds a kindred spirit in Gutierrez, though, even as hes set to marry someone else. Look for how perfectly matched the Poet and the Mermaids movements are. The only knock on this work is that some of the scenes arguably run a bit long even when taking into account that the action is meant to be iterative as it sometimes reaches a kind of manic frenzy. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg) The Joffrey Ballet closes its 67th season with the long-awaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeier 's beautifully haunting interpretation of The Little Mermaid. Note how the sets seem to close in on her, in contrast to the open expanse of the ocean. Chicago is right to honor Neumeier, who marks his 50thand final season as head of Hamburg Ballet this year. Academy 312.784.4600. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Neumeiers first professional gig was at the Lyric Opera in 1961, where he performed Ruth Pages choreography in the world premiere of Vittorio Gianninis English-language opera The Harvest. He trained at Chicagos revered Stone-Camryn School of Ballet and danced in the company of modern dance legend Sybil Shearer, but has spent the bulk of his life in Europe. What Should I Look For? 'The Little Mermaid' The Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera of Chicago 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago Tickets: 312-386-8905 or Joffrey.org Runs: 2 hours, 30 minutes Closes: April 30. Joffrey Box Office 312.386.8905. At the bottom of the sea, the Poets longing for Edvard takes the form of a little mermaid. Category 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. After all of the angst and torture of the earlier scenes, how does this ending, in which these two depend on each other, create a new sense of hope? Tickets: $36-$200 at 312-386-8905 and Joffrey.org. Lera Auerbachs glorious original score is the icing on this cake in what is likely the biggest, most ambitious of Joffreys projects to date (Christopher Wheeldons Nutcracker notwithstanding). Holding the Princes unconscious body, the Mermaid, whose frolicsome play has now turned to love, cannot resist kissing him. The Prince, passing by, takes pity on this strange creature and carries her on board his ship. The Little Mermaid. So, as much as the ballet is a story of a mermaid who longs for love and pines to be human, it is also about the power of fantasy, imagination and words. Although he has done away with the pantomime and formalism of the great story ballets of the past, the movement, though utterly contemporary, remains rooted in classical ballet, and he achieves a similar level of emotional potency. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersens fable about a mermaid willing to sacrifice everything for the man she loves, this ballet is a modern take on this classic tale. 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601. The Little Mermaid is currently at the historic Lyric Opera House (20 North Upper Wacker Drive) in downtown Chicago, only staying for ten performances (April 19-30th, 2023). A tear rolls down his cheek and he follows that tear as it falls into the ocean. The Joffrey Ballet. Players wave their hands near two antennas to create wavering, otherworldly sounds that are ideally suited to this ballet. Today's shows start at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House. The Joffrey Ballet The Little Mermaid'. During their farewell, the little Mermaid wonders whether the Prince feels, just for a moment, the depth of her passion. Joffrey Box Office 312.386.8905. Yoshihisa Arai, who retires at the end of the season, is magnificent as the conniving, evil Sea Witch. Theyve danced together earlier in the ballet, but not with this kind of uniformity, almost as if one is the shadow of the other. Rice said the pandemic exacerbated some of the downward attendance trends affecting theaters but now could be a time to reimagine the way arts institutions can engage audiences. When: 7:30 p.m. April 21, with eight more performances through April 30, Where: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. A violent ritual results in the Mermaid gaining legs, but even a single step on land causes extreme pain. Visions of the sea cross through her dream. By Kyle MacMillen, Chicago Sun-Times April 20, 2023 What Will I See? The Mermaidlike the Poetisnt going to take this lying down. This production also would not have been possible without the milestone, career-defining performances of the principals, starting with Jaiani, who is onstage for nearly the entire ballet in the title role and displays extraordinary endurance and commanding and unwavering stage presence. WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Here is some information we hope you will find helpful in planning your visit. Look closely at The Little Mermaid and one can glimpse all these influences. Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday with a two-night star-studded stand at the Hollywood Bowl, where he was joined by Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, the Chicks. It is also unfailingly beautiful. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. So she leaves without harming him. Choose another item. Yoshihisa Arai and ensemble in "The Little Mermaid" by Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. The Little Mermaid | Joffrey Ballet Home Performances & Tickets 22-23 Season The Little Mermaid The Little Mermaid Performance Details When April 19-30, 2023 Where Lyric Opera House Choreography John Neumeier Original Score Lera Auerbach Running Time 2 Hours 25 Minutes And next week (Feb. 23-25), the Hamburg Ballet of Germany will bring another Neumeier ballet, "The Glass Menagerie," to the Harris Theater. Neumeiers beautifully haunting interpretation of Hans Christian Andersens 1837 tragic folk tale follows the tormented mermaid on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and seaone utterly complex, the other magnificently serene. This ballet is an adaptation of the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, telling the story of a young mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and makes a dangerous deal with a sea witch to become human herself. RT @cbschicago: Joffrey Ballet's 'The Little Mermaid' final shows happening this weekend https://cbsnews.com/chicago/news/joffrey-ballets-the-little-mermaid/?taid . What Should I Look for? In 2015, Joffrey presented theAmerican premiereof his adaptation of the 1876 ballet Sylvia an unpopular work I happened to love. On board the passing ship, sailors are exercising. Meet the creative team behind 'The Little Mermaid'. Deeply in love with the Prince, the little Mermaids desire to be loved in return is now clearly in vain; today he will marry the Princess. Jaianis shaking new legs collapse beneath her as she navigates a place she clearly does not belong. Everybody in the company says its an enormous amount of work.. The final performance is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale for all three performances and start at $36. The Joffrey boasted $6 million in ticket sales in the 2021-2022 season, according to an impact report published by the company. The only real joy arrives at the very end, when the Poet and his mermaid creation come together in a mystical realm floating in the stars. The Joffrey Ballet The Little Mermaid' When: 7:30 p.m. April 21, with eight more performances through April 30 Where: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive Tickets: $36-$200 Info: joffrey.org So, as much as the ballet is a story of a mermaid who longs for love and pines to be human, it is also about the power of fantasy, imagination and words. Greg Abbott to halt transports of migrants to Chicago, Bears draft review: Pieces in place for Justin Fields. Adorned in an aquatic-hued bodice and extra-long, silky Hammer pants, Jaiani swims through an undulating, underwater playground with the assistance of three tall men dressed like Samurai. The Joffrey premiere continues through April 30 at the Lyric Opera House. With disorienting dissonances, eerie glissandos, angry percussion, thrusting brass, plaintive violin solos and punctuating, insistent piano strokes, the music is at once forlorn and raw, atmospheric and angry, entrancing and agitating. Then there was Joffreys 2017debut collaborationwith the Lyric Opera, in Neumeiers Orphee et Eurydice., 'Chicago Tribune' Review: Enchanting Little Mermaid is one of Joffrey Ballets most ambitious projects yet. Administrative Offices 312.739.0120. 'The Little Mermaid' A gripping tableau of shadows and colors, Neumeier's beautifully haunting interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairytale follows the tormented mermaid heroine on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and seaone utterly complex, the other magnificently serene. The ballet company is reporting a strong season so far and hopes the massive production brings in pre-pandemic level audiences. 1920 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60616. After all the guests have departed, the little Mermaid encounters the Prince. Waking naked on the seashore, she finds her first steps unbearably painful. (Cheryl Mann / HANDOUT). Realizing this, Mermaid tries to reverse course and return to the sea, pleading with the Sea Witch, who will give her tail back only if she kills the Prince. . Live music will be performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet. A ship passes by and its captain is a Prince who bears a startling resemblance to Edvard (see where this is going?). That effect is created both choreographically and through production elements. 'The Little Mermaid' April 19, 2023 - April 30, 2023 A gripping tableau of shadows and colors, Neumeier's beautifully haunting interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairytale follows the tormented mermaid heroine on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and seaone utterly complex, the other magnificently serene. The little Mermaid is left alone. The sumptuous two-act ballet features an original score by Ilya Demutsky. 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Plot:Now both the Mermaid and the Poet are alone, rejected by Edvard/the Prince but unable to go back to life before this intense love. Mourning his separation from Edvard, a tear rolls slowly down the Poet's cheek, falling into a sea of memories and fantasies. Abruptly he departs for his wedding night with the Princess. The Joffrey Ballet. Joffrey Ballet 'The Little Mermaid' performing final shows this weekend. Elmhurst Blotter: Man charged with battery for allegedly punching a security guard at a bar, Hinsdale police blotter: multiple thefts reported by patients at Hinsdale Hospital, Glenview police blotter: Harwood Heights woman charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Heartrending romance. And yet, they come together, bound by their loss, creator and creation. This lovely sea creature watches a ship pass on the waters surface, and dreams of the earth world.