One thing about Chicago is that it is full of art. Whether you’re in the mood for a concert or a show, the city is overflowing with a plethora of performances. One notable performance that continues to draw attention is The Joffrey Ballet, which will present a jaw-dropping show this February.
As part of its 70th Anniversary programming, The Joffrey Ballet is showcasing “American Icons,” a dynamic collection of works by four 20th-century artists: co-founder Robert Joffrey, founding Joffrey alum Glen Tetley, and pioneering choreographer Martha Graham.
The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater MBE, said:
American Icons is a masterclass in movement—classical precision, modern experimentation, and fearless athleticism. These works demand everything from an artist, and that challenge is what makes them timeless.
The ingenuity of Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, Glen Tetley, and Martha Graham lives in every dancer, shaping how we train, how we move, and why we create. American Icons honors the rigor, range, and daring that continue to propel the art form forward.
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The mixed repertory program opens with Gerald Arpino’s Kettentanz. Inspired by classical Viennese balls and gardens, Kettentanz is widely regarded as one of Arpino’s signature works.
Martha Graham’s Secular Games is a playful exploration of human nature and the lengths people will go to in order to impress one another. Graham’s choreography pushes the boundaries of technique, challenging dancers with bold, powerful movements.
Created by Robert Joffrey, the visionary founder of The Joffrey Ballet, Postcards offers a lively collage of early 1900s Paris, depicted through vignettes of fleeting encounters and whimsical memories, set to a sweeping score by Erik Satie.
Finally, Tetley’s Voluntaries is an experienced dance that transcends the stage, embodying the beauty of flight, rebirth, freedom, and desire.
Joffrey Ballet’s American Icons schedule:
Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 PM
Friday, February 20 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 21, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 PM
Friday, February 27 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 28, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
and Sunday, March 1, at 2:00 PM