Joffrey Ballet - The Nutcracker Reviews

Britanny from Chicago, Illinois

RUINS TRADITION. DISAPPOINTING.

This new "Nutcracker" gets rid of all the beauty and the ornate scenes from the original Nutcracker. It opens in a dark and sad scene with rats running around (not the mouse king's mice). Got rid of the Sugar Plum Fairy and replaced her with the "Golden lady"... or something like that. The elegance, beauty, and tradition of the Nutcracker completely disappeared. There are no beautiful fairy dances. At one point, the ballet literally mocks and tries to be funny in a clown scene. For the price, don't waste your time in getting disappointed. This wonderful older woman who I sat next to was basically in tears because she had been coming to the ballet to watch the Nutcracker for years, and when she saw this she was devastated. It truly is so disappointing.

Ethel Brown from Chicago, Illinois

MOST DISAPPOINTING

It was very sad to see the Nutcracker Ballet that has been a tradition in my family for years lose its warmth, it’s joyful anticipation for Christmas seen through the eyes and imagination of children. The Christmas theme was downplayed. I was heart broken and I don’t know if I will ever return. The caliber of dancing was not as good either, very slow and even off at times. Absence of good male dancers. Costumes were not great either. All around disappointment. The Salt Creek Theater delivers a better show.

Karen from Quad cities iowa

TERRIBLE

I have seen the nutcracker all over the country. Had I known what I was going to see I would never have come or encouraged my family members to do so. No one understood the story line and the costumes had no magic. What a mess

Allison from Chicago, Illinois

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY

Going to see the Nutcracker Ballet is a Christmas tradition. The 2021 interpretation the Joffrey ballet put out was by far the worst version I have ever seen. I would have walked out mid-way through the first act if it wasn't for the rest of my party. There was absolutely no connection between the original story and the show I saw. The entire show was disappointing, but the Russian dance / cowboy dance took the cake! I sat through the entire show steaming, I would like my money back, it was that bad! The Joffrey ballet has soured me and I will never return for another show. The only dance worth noting was the Arabian dance, they were something! The rest was a complete joke. Save your money and pull it up on Netflix.

from Chicago, Illinois

WHY CHANGE

Not a fan of this new version. Based on attendance seems more people feel the same. Give us back the original story!

Autumn Stiles from Chicago, Illinois

NOT THE NUTCRACKER

I’ve requested my money back. This was not the Nutcracker. The Joffrey Ballet should change the name and call this something else. I thought I was going to see an incredible version of the traditional performance I’ve seen over ten times. It’s deceiving to call this The dancing - it’s not. The orchestra and the dancers were delightful but the “reimagined” version of this is depressing. Do not waste your money. I’ll never go again.

Britanny from Chicago, Illinois

AVOID THE NUTCRACKER

The glitz and glam is gone, the choreography is sexist and vulgar. It takes place in a rat-infested cabin/alley of Chicago during the world fair. Don't let their marketing fool you. Every year they post a photo of the snow fairies for their promo (this is because it is the only beautiful part of the entire show). Avoid at all costs. Start supporting the other Nutcrackers in the area. Truly disappointing and not at all worth the money.

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