"The Nutcracker" gives Chicago kids a plum gig
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The snow scene in "The Nutcracker" at the Lyric Opera. Photo: Courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet
Some say the star of the Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker" is the music, while others say it's the design. But audiences know the real stars are the children.
The big picture: The annual holiday ballet returns to the Lyric Opera tonight through Dec. 28. Tony Award-winning director Christopher Wheeldon brought this version of the famed "The Nutcracker" to Chicago in 2016, reimagining the ballet with the backdrop of the 1893 World's Fair.
- The two-act ballet is set to Tchaikovsky's famous score, but the kids, dressed in everything from icicles to walking walnuts, steal the show.
What they're saying: "It's special to me because I like being in shows because then I get to be in a dressing room and I get to hear the music better," 10-year-old performer Jimmy Gershenson tells Axios.
Zoom out: Jimmy is one of 84 child dancers in the show. He is playing one of the "snow babies" and is the only boy in a slew of girl dancers.
- "It's kind of special for me to be the only boy," Jimmy says, adding he's been dancing in classes since he was 3.
- "Here's a boy who wanted to dance his entire life and could only find dance classes with girls in tutus," Jimmy's dad, Joshua Gershenson, tells Axios. "With the Joffrey, he has met boys and girls alike who love to dance and celebrate him."
State of play: Child dancers usually start with smaller roles, but with more experience (and height), the kids move up to play bigger roles, like the crowd-pleasing walnuts or even company dancers.
The latest: Jimmy also traveled with the company earlier this year for several performances of "Anna Karenina" on the West Coast. The experience helped him prepare for performing on the big stage.
- "I like ballet because it helps me exercise my body, keeps me healthy and helps me grow," Jimmy says.
The bottom line: The Chicago-centric production is a must-see at the Lyric Opera for the world-class set, music and dance, but especially the talented kids.