What I love best about living in Chicago is the great number of cultural offerings available. From music to dance to art and theater, not only are there numerous events taking place, but the venues that host these events truly enhance the experience. Auditorium Theatre is no exception.
My youngest has been interested in dance for some time and is still at an age to love fairytales and animal stories. This past weekend, we had the chance to watch Ballet West perform the classic ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Seated inside the gilded walls of the Auditorium Theatre, my little lady and I were dressed in our fancy clothes excited to see this classic story come to life.
With live orchestral accompaniment by the Chicago Sinfonietta, the staging, costumes, effects, and the brilliant moves of the highly talented dancers of Ballet West, the story took on a new meaning for the many children in attendance, like mine, raised on the Disneyfied version of Sleeping Beauty.
Complete with fairytale character wedding guests like Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, and Mother Goose, the show was a treat for all ages. My daughter was especially pleased with the adorable White Cat dance with Puss-in-Boots.
The opening night production showcased the Ballet West company featured on the popular CW show, "Breaking Pointe". Led by Artistic Director Adam Sklute, formerly of The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet West's company of 48 dancers include: Principal Artist Christiana Bennett (in the lead role of Aurora), Haley Henderson-Smith (as Carabosse The Fairy of Jealousy), First Soloist Elizabeth McGrath (as Lilac Fairy), and First Soloist Rex Tilton (as Prince Desire).
Auditorium Theatre is well known for hosting dance, and the venue is a perfect setting for experiencing the dynamic art of dance, its size being not too small, nor too large to prevent a feeling of connection between the audience and the stage. The theatre hosts the annual holiday favorite "The Nutcracker" with the Joffrey Ballet each year.
-Christine
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