In a wooden shack on the edge of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Marie, a young Polish girl, a daughter of immigrant workers, dreams of the White City’s splendor. Her longing eventually sees her embark on a fantastic journey through a surreal fair, one populated by Chinese dragons, paisley-clad belly dancers, and waltzing snowflakes.
Classic characters and reinvigorated dance converge in this vision, realized in Tony-Award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s reinterpretation of the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Nearly a decade in development, the holiday tale will take the stage for the first time this weekend at Hancher, with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by Orchestra Iowa.
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Iowa Now - Thursday, December 1, 2016
Hancher Auditorium’s longstanding partnership with the Joffrey Ballet continues to grow, as the Joffrey debuts its new rendition of The Nutcracker this weekend on the Hancher stage.
Almost 30 years ago, Hancher first commissioned The Nutcracker from the Joffrey, a Chicago-based dance company and one of the premier companies in the world. This year, to help celebrate its new building, which opened in September, Hancher commissioned a reworking of the beloved holiday story.
The Gazette - Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon knows very well the once-in-a-lifetime magic he’s creating for children dancing alongside the pros in “The Nutcracker.”
Now 43 and one of the most sought-after choreographers in the world, the British native portrayed a toy soldier in a Royal Ballet production in London, where he now serves as an artistic associate.
The Gazette - Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Hancher audiences are in for some surprises when the curtain rises on preview performances of the Joffrey’s new “Nutcracker” ballet Thursday night through Sunday afternoon.
“It’s the Sugar-free ‘Nutcracker,’ ” choreographer Christopher Wheeldon quipped during a panel discussion at Hancher on Monday night.
Iowa City Press Citizen - Friday, November 18, 2016
Shortly after its opening, I was able to get a tour of the new Hancher Auditorium. Chuck Swanson, its executive director, was rightfully delighted to show off an 1,800-seat facility that would be a point of pride for any city across this country. He took care to describe the motivation and meaning behind the design of the building, from the materials used to build it down to the artwork that adorns its walls.
Little Village - Tuesday, November 15, 2016
The Joffrey Ballet’s new Nutcracker premieres on Dec. 1 at the Hancher and runs through Dec. 4. Tickets are $20–75. There is also a gala reception on Dec. 3. In addition to Selznick, the all-star design team assembled by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon includes puppeteer Basil Twist, who was in town this September, and scenic designer Julian Crouch (Shockhead Peter, Hedwig and the Angry Inch). Selznick answered questions for us via email recently while in London.
KCCK - Friday, November 11, 2016
Bob Stewart chatted with Joe Lovano prior to his appearance Nov. 11 with Chucho Valdes at Hancher Auditorium.
Iowa City Press Citizen - Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Cuban jazz pianist Chuco Valdés is a Grammy winner, as is American saxophonist Joe Lovano. With the other members of their quintet, the duo guide a lively combination of classic jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz. The group will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hancher Auditorium. Tickets are $10-$50.
Iowa City Press Citizen - Friday, November 4, 2016
It’s safe to say the Iowa City area and the University of Iowa are nothing short of thrilled to have the new Hancher Auditorium open for the 2016 season. After the devastating 2008 flood and destruction of the former building, Hancher has operated without a real home for several years. But this new, spectacular, state-of-the-art structure will house some of the world’s best performances here in Iowa City.
Daily Iowan - Thursday, November 3, 2016
Way back when, people filled theaters and packed halls to hear the music we now call classical. Over the course of centuries, though, with music-making becoming a more common ability, new genres and musical forms have pulled listeners away from the classic sound.
The Czechoslovakia-born, Canada-raised clown and solo performer Tomáš Kubínek is attempting to get the same results by adding a little vaudeville to the classical-music scene.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Hancher, Kubínek will perform in Pomp, Brass, and Lunacy.