Joffrey Ballet - The Nutcracker Reviews

from Chicago, Illinois

DISSATISFIED

The only reason I’ve given this performance 2 stars is because the orchestra was amazing! The dancers were also very good but not at the level I’ve seen in year’s past. This “reimagined” production was a totally different story. A sad story and one that should be told but not under the title of The Nutcracker. I have a difficult time understanding why you would change the story, the choreography, the costumes and the setting but not the name….?!! The dancing was not synchronized, the costumes were blah and my guests and I left wondering why we spent our time and a our money here. I would not recommend this to anyone.

Tjk from Chicago, Illinois

BRING BACK THE TRADITIONAL NUTCRACKER

Wanted to see the classic, beautiful nutcracker. Was extremely disappointed with this new interpretation.

LR from Chicago, Illinois

SADLY, A DISAPPOINTMENT

I have loved our annual family tradition of attending the Joffery's variations on the more classic production of the Nutcracker, and tried to keep an open mind to the new interpretation. I hoped to experience something fresh and imaginative, but instead remain disappointed. The new production is well performed and the talent of the company and orchestra on full display. This version, though, deemphasizes the magic, wonder, and focus on Christmas, and has too many nonsensical plot lines / holes for my taste. Some of the choices (An accordion and fiddle? A cowboy twirling his lasso to the Danse Russe?) felt downright cringeworthy. The Nutcracker has always been a gateway to appreciation of ballet, but the children in our party were confused and bored. The joy, color, and fantasy are largely missing. I appreciated seeing it once, regret seeing it twice, and will sadly look elsewhere for our annual trip to the Nutcracker during the term of this production.

Anna Kucharski from Chicago, Illinois

NOT THE TRADITIONAL STORY

This is not the traditional nutcracker story. I would have loved a heads up that the story was changed. I think the title should have been The Nutcracker: Reimagined. I was completely blindsided because I was expecting the original. I miss the traditional story. I have it 2 stars because some of the dancers were very talented. I paid $120 dollars for tickets and would of loved to watch the traditional ballet. Will try and find the traditional performance next year with a different company. It was very disappointing to be let down.

Nancy Dayton from Lake Zurich, IL

DISAPPOINTING

This new version is horrible. The story line doesn’t make sense and doesn’t flow with the traditional music. The era was f the setting and the music do not coincide. This is a horribly derived concept. I’ve seen the nutcracker every year for the last 35 years, it is my Christmas tradition and very dear to my heart. This was so disappointing.

Cindy from Chicago, Illinois

THE NUTCRACKER

I was so excited to be seeing The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker. I was left disoriented and disappointed. I picked up all of the new aspects of the story line except the mother creating a special statue for the fair. I have favorite dances/choreography that run through my head when I hear the beautiful music. I was really thrown off with the new characters, especially Wild Bill. I understand the importance of having him at the Chicago World's Fair, but to have him dancing to The Russian dance number was weird. The orchestra was great, the stage settings were done with amazing new technologies, but the different tiers of dancers was too evident. The absolute precision of the corp dancers was off, and a few of the world dancers were not up to par. The standouts were the Queen of the Fair, the dancers from Siam, Wild Bill, and the stunning duet with the Fair Queen and the Impresario. The overall feel was light, happy, and free of the constraints of the classical version. I thought the big, individual numbers coming back for applause after their numbers was tacky.

Raif de Stafford from Chicago, Illinois

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!

I spent a significant amount of money on four tickets to The Nutcracker with all expecting a holiday classic. What a disappointment to find out too late that the storyline had been changed to a pathetic and uninspired version of the classic. It was boring and had we known we would never have wasted our time on it. I expected better from the Joffrey. We'll find the real Nutcracker next time.

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