Opera and Dance Reviews

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Lyric Opera of Chicago's bold initiative to present one contemporary, English-language opera on their mainstage each season continues with their latest offering, which closes the 2021/2022 season. "Fire Shut Up in My Bones" is particularly special because it is a collaboration of numerous extremely talented artists and performers whose voices rarely are heard in the major opera houses throughout the world and whose story focuses exclusively on that of a traditionally marginalized community. Congratulations are in order to all of the staff at Lyric for following through on their daring commitment in bringing this essential work to Chicago, which is a co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera and Los Angeles Opera.

**** Highly Recommended **** I’m used to seeing Hubbard Street Dance Chicago at the Harris Theatre with its huge stage and cavernous auditorium.  To see the Company, perform The Spring Series RE/CONNECT on the intimate Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) was an absolute pleasure.  In an effort to offer something for everyone, the two weekends of RE/CONNECT performances are split between Program A and Program B.  Program A was joyous and upbeat.  4 Spotlights

***** Highly Recommended ***** The Joffrey Ballet’s “Chicago-centric” version of "The Nutcracker", choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, is quite simply magnificent. By setting “The Nutcracker” against Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, Wheeldon gave the city a unique gift.  This was the fifth time I’ve seen/reviewed “The Nutcracker” and I still love everything about it!  I did notice that a few things which were just slightly different, which actually improved on something that I thought was just about perfect.  Every movement was graceful, precise and exquisitely performed.  By the way, Tchaichovsky’s glorious music was played by the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Scott Speck, the Joffrey’s Music Director.  4 BIG Holiday Spotlights!

**** Recommended **** A new opera at Chicago’s storied and beloved Lyric Opera is always a welcome event, especially this season, which marks a joyous return for Midwest opera-lovers after a closed house last year due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Lyric premiere of a new production of “Florencia en el Amazones,” a 1996 opera by famed late Mexican composer Daniel Catan, is cause for celebration. It debuted at Civic Opera House Saturday night, Nov. 13.  4 Spotlights