After two decades of performances at the Auditorium Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet will move its company to the Lyric Opera House at the conclusion of the 2019-2020 season, making this year the last holiday season during which Christopher’s Wheeldon’s version of The Nutcracker will grace the Auditorium Theatre’s stage. Ahead of this big step forward for the company, Gregg Benkovich, shoe manager for the Joffrey Ballet, helped crunch the numbers on the overwhelming numbers of slipper- and pointe-shoe-clad smaller steps (as well as assemblés, pirouettes, and arabesques) that will have preceded the move next season.
Two Pairs of shoes a performer dancing an intensive role such as Queen of the Fair or Marie will want on hand for each performance.
$780,000 The amount spent on shoes for the Joffrey’s various renditions of The Nutcracker since 1995 (not adjusting for inflation).
17 The age of the youngest member of the Joffrey’s current company.
11/30-12/29: Sat 2 and 7 PM, Sun 2 PM, Thu 7 PM, Fri 2 and 7 PM; also Sun 12/15 and 12/22 ,7 PM; Wed 12/18, 7 PM; Fri 12/20 and 12/27, 2 PM; Mon 12/23, 2 and 7 PM, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells, 312-386-8905, joffrey.org, $35-$174.
