Joffrey Ballet dancers Victoria Jaiani and Dylan Gutierrez in “Swan Lake.” (Photo by Cheryl Mann)

It has been four years since the Joffrey Ballet first performed Christopher Wheeldon’s reimagining of “Swan Lake.” Its current revival serves as a vivid indication of the extraordinary artistry that now defines the Joffrey, from principal dancers to corps.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in “Decadance/Chicago” by Ohad Naharin. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg)

Recent performances by a number of major Chicago dance companies suggest that in a city renowned for its theater scene, an impressive component of drama also can be found in the work of its dancers.

Joffrey Ballet’s North American premiere of “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” (Photo by Cheryl Mann)

You will never experience anything quite like it. Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is now receiving its North American premiere by the Joffrey Ballet, and it is a monumental achievement on every level.

Telmo Moreira’s “Memento Mori” (Photo by Cheryl Mann)

Three very different programs appeared on Chicago stages last weekend – and there is much more to come this month. 

English National Ballet. Alina Cojocaru in Akram Kham’s “Giselle.” (© Laurent Liotardo)

Chicago is dancing up a storm this season, and plans for an exceptionally strong 2018-2019 season are already being announced. A preview of what’s to come.

Dancers Temur Suluashvili and Victoria Jaiani in “Glass Pieces.” )Photo by Cheryl Mann)

The Joffrey Ballet’s winter program is a stunning showcase of the prowess of its dancers, as well as the stellar talents of the Chicago Philharmonic and music director Scott Speck.

Temur Suluashvili and Lucia Connolly in rehearsal for “The Nutcracker.” (Photo by Todd Rosenberg)

The new documentary “Making a New American Nutcracker” premieres on WTTW. We speak with the Joffrey Ballet’s artistic director and the film’s producer.

(Todd Rosenberg / Lyric Opera of Chicago)

What brought about the new business arrangement of two of Chicago’s most prominent cultural institutions? We speak with two of the driving forces behind each company.

(Courtesy of Lyric Opera of Chicago)

Choreographer John Neumeier is in the sixth decade of a career that’s still going strong, and his latest project marks an unprecedented Chicago collaboration.

Paul-Jordan Jansen and Bri Sudia in Paramount Theatre’s “Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” (Liz Lauren / Paramount Theatre)

The Paramount Theatre in Aurora is serving up a gothic new staging of the Stephen Sondheim hit “Sweeney Todd.” We discuss that show and other new productions, with the Chicago Sun-Times dance and theater critic.

Justin Peck

The Joffrey Ballet recently reimagined Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”– and the company is now moving to the pulse of popular music.

(Cheryl Mann / Joffrey Ballet)

We go backstage at the Joffrey Ballet as the company prepares to launch an all-new “Nutcracker” set in Chicago.

A Tony-award winning team will craft a new $4 million “Nutcracker” which dramatically switches gears from Robert Joffrey’s vision, one which has been performed for nearly three decades.

William Forsythe rehearses N.N.N.N. with Hubbard Street Dancers Ana Lopez, Alicia Delgadillo, and Emilie Leriche (Photo / Todd Rosenberg)

Hubbard Street Dance stages a tribute to the international choreographer

The internationally recognized choreographer discusses his history with the Joffrey Ballet, the de-gendering of ballet, and who – if not him – acts as the true successor to the father of American Ballet.

The Joffrey Ballet presents "Millennials" Sept. 16-20 at the Auditorium Theatre.

Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon is in town to work with veterans of his choreographic style at the Joffrey Ballet and some new kids on the block – the Joffrey recently added 10 dancers to the company. Wheeldon joins us in advance of the Joffrey's 60th anniversary season, kicking off Wednesday with the program Millennials.

A provocative Swedish choreographer visits Chicago to reveal another side of Joffrey dancers. We get a preview of the choreographer's work in Unique Voices.