By guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez
The Joffrey Ballet opened its new season recently with a splendid and innovative production.
“Liliom,” which is a Chicago premiere, is livening up the stage of The Lyric Opera House in Chicago. The full-length ballet continues to Sept. 27.
The dance work, featuring choreography by John Neumeier, is an engaging production, which is based on the 1909 play by Ferenc Molnar. Molnar’s play was the inspiration for “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel.”
“Liliom” tells the story of carnival worker Liliom and his turbulent life involving love, heartbreak, job loss, financial struggle and his chance at redemption in the afterlife. Definitely think another retelling of “Carousel.”
Neumeier’s choreography grandly comes to life by the stellar Joffrey troupe. Jose Pablo Castro Cuevas as Liliom and Victoria Jaiani as Julie offered dynamic performances fueled with passion. The Joffrey Ballet’s new season got off to a strong start with this production.
The captivating score was composed by Michel Legrand. The Lyric Opera Orchestra provided live music for the production as did Rob Parton’s Jazztech Big Band. Parton’s band performed while onstage offering a unique touch.
Audiences will easily find themselves engrossed in this outstanding show.
FYI: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Liliom” continues to Sept. 27 at The Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. For ticket information, visit joffrey.org.
About Eloise Marie Valadez
Guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez, a frequent contributor to Travel/Food, is a professional journalist/writer and editor with four decades of experience covering the arts, entertainment, and culinary industries. A native of Chicago, she has a passion for the written word.
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