Amanda Assucena and ensemble_ Photo Credit: Cheryl Mann

Today, The Joffrey Ballet gave everyone an intricate look into Christopher Wheeldon’s version of “The Nutcracker” through an inventive virtual show. The program, “Pulling Back The Curtain: The Nutcracker” illustrated the difficult process of creating the stage’s scenery and getting the choreography just right. The BTS (behind-the-scenes) process was just as breathtaking as the actual show.

“Pulling Back The Curtain: The Nutcracker” also featured commentary from the master, Christopher Wheeldon, and star dancers like Victoria Jaiani, April Daly, Dara Holmes, Dylan Gutierrez, Greig Matthews, Yumi Kanazawa and famed choreographers. A silent auction supporting ballet company directly followed the BTS program.

The holiday season has just begun for The Joffrey Ballet! Staring November 12 through December 30, at 7:00 and 7:30 PM, Art on theMART’s will present clips of The Nutcracker alongside gorgeous art.

The Joffrey Ballet_ Photo Credit: Cheryl Mann

The Silverman Group’s recent press conference explained it this way – “Art on theMART’s presentation of The Nutcracker conjures a larger-than-life experience of the Joffrey’s magical holiday tradition, set during Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair. The story follows young Marie on a magical Christmas Eve journey through the iconic World’s Fair. The nightly projection lasts 30 minutes, with a program that also features iconic paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as Arts of Life’s City Circle Heart, presenting works from artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Starting December 1- 31, visitors of Joffrey.org will be able to view “Making a New American Nutcracker” directly on the website. The 2017 Emmy-winning PBS documentary, “narrated by actress Neve Campbell, reveals the inner workings of the Joffrey creative team—from rewriting the story to the making of elaborate puppets to the choreographic process.”

*A Special Thanks to The Silverman Group for the “Pulling Back The Curtain: The Nutcracker” invite, info and photos.*