Chicago Premiere

The Joffrey Ballet host the much anticipated Chicago premiere of this haunting interpretation of Hans Christen Anderson's classic tale, stripped back to its core by John Neumeier, with dazzling sets and costumes, and an original score from Lea Auerbach. With central themes of intense longing and unrequited love, this telling of the Little Mermaid is far from its child-friendly counterparts and is not recommended for those under 12 years old.

What is the story?

Taking inspiration straight from Hans Christen Anderson's 1837 story, the production concerns a young mermaid who is instantly smitten with a Prince she sees sailing on a ship above her. When a tumultuous storm causes the Prince to be thrown into the choppy waters, she saves him, cementing a deep passion for her. But awaking on the shore, the Prince is unaware of his rescuer, instead believing it to be another. In desperation, the mermaid goes to the Sea Witch, making a devilish deal to swap her tail for legs, so she can walk among the humans and declare her love. However, her trials are just beginning as she discovers that the human world is even harder to traverse than she ever imagined. Heartbreaking, evocative and gripping, The Little Mermaid shows that fairytales do not always have a happy ending.