Auditorium Theatre Announces ‘LIVE AT THE AUD’ 2022-23 Season

Chicago’s landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces a robust 2022-23 performance season highlighted by its most expansive global dance series ever, including the first-ever Chicago appearance by the Kyiv City Ballet of Ukraine, which opens the Auditorium Theatre’s Fall season September 24, plus Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Step Afrika!, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, American Ballet Theatre, and the much anticipated annual engagement by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Closer to home, beloved Chicago dance companies take the stage of the Auditorium Theatre including Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago plus Trinity Irish Dance Company, M.A.D.D. Rhythms and special guest, NY-based Dorrance Dance. In addition, the critically acclaimed National Geographic Live film/speaker series, offering first-hand accounts and expert voices on cultural and environmental issues of the day, returns with three offerings and a lower ticket price. And rounding out the season will be two holiday music concert specials in December:  the popular Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah and Celtic Woman.

“As we welcome back audiences to our landmark stage, the Auditorium Theatre is especially proud of this season’s Global Dance offerings; it’s our most expansive roster of international talent and notably will provide Chicago audiences with their first look at the Kviv City Ballet of Ukraine.  We hope to attract not only dance lovers but all who stand behind Ukraine to show support for these brave artists,” said Auditorium Theatre CEO Rich Regan. “Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns for its beloved annual spring engagement, while Step Afrika! makes it Auditorium Theatre debut. And beyond Global and Chicago dance presentations, we welcome the return of our National Geographic Live series, with new family-friendly ticketing, and two holiday concert presentations including the popular Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah and the Celtic Woman holiday program. Audiences have unlimited choices and can create their own series – combining dance, music, and film – at a discount!”

‘LIVE AT THE AUD’ 2022-23 SERIES OFFERINGS:

(In chronological order)

GLOBAL DANCE

The Auditorium Theatre is renowned for presenting some of the world’s acclaimed dance companies and this season doesn’t disappoint, launching with a first-ever visit by Ukraine’s Kyiv City Ballet in a show of support for the embattled country.

Kyiv City Ballet

Two performances only: Saturday, September 24 at 7:30PM and Sunday, September 25 at 3:00PM

Tickets range from $94 – $40

Amidst a greater struggle and rising tensions, Kyiv City Ballet has stood as the “voice of resistance” on a global stage. Serving as the original ballet of Ukraine for 10 years, this company brings light and joy in the darkness to audiences worldwide with its exemplary ballets. Under the direction of Kyiv City Ballet Artistic Director Ivan Kozlov, formerly of the Mariinsky Theater and the St. Petersburg Eifman Ballet, audiences can expect to be dazzled by the company’s mixed repertoire, including excerpts from Swan Lake (choreography by Petipa, Ivanov, Kozlov) featuring two of the top prima ballerinas of Ukraine: Krystina Kadashevych and Oksana Bondarenko. For one weekend, see the magnificent classically trained dancers and support the artists who are risking it all to bring culture to their communities.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan

Two performances only: Friday, October 14 at7:30PM and Saturday, October 15 at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $69 – $29

Be swept away by the breath-taking Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s performance of 13 Tongues, a striking and immersive journey transforming childhood memories of the Taoist rites and bustling street life of Bangka into a fantasy world. This marks the Chicago premiere of 13 Tongues by Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater.

Step Afrika!

One performance only: Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $76 – $30

Making their debut on the Auditorium Theatre stage, the first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping blends dance styles from historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Step Afrika!’s vigorous technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and is certain to have audiences energized and on their feet!

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo 

One performance only: Saturday, February 11 at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $76 – $30

Mark Valentine’s Day in a lively way as the world’s leading all-male ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, showcases a playful view of traditional ballet in parody form. The ‘trocks’ through the years have become an international treasure with their comic approach and the astounding way that men can, indeed, dance en pointe.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Six performances: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 8-10 at 7:30PM; Saturday, March 11 at 2PM and 8PM; and Sunday, March 12 at 3PM

Tickets range from $120 – $38

For over 60 years, Ailey has been “doing what few major dance organizations do: It is keeping pace with the times, and the conversation” (The Washington Post). The ground-breaking, forward-thinking company has a 50-year long history with the Auditorium and will be returning for its much-anticipated annual visit with programs new and classic, each concluding with founder Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations.

American Ballet Theatre

Three performances only: Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15 at 7:30PM; and Sunday, April 16 at 2PM

Tickets range from $146 – $40

The internationally renowned American Ballet Theatre presents a dazzling mixed-rep program featuring some of its most exciting contemporary masterpieces. Audiences will experience the beauty of storytelling through this perfect fusion of music, movement, and drama performed by the company’s much-followed principal dancers.

CHICAGO DANCE

Formerly Made in Chicago, the Chicago Dance series presents some of Chicago’s top homegrown companies in one-night-only engagements; new for 2022-23 is Prelude, in which an emerging local dance company opens each night’s program.  Those companies will be announced soon.  

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater  

One performance only: Saturday, October 1 at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $69 – $25

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater kicks off its 46th season with a return to the Auditorium Theatre. The spirit of España will come alive with passionate dancers, live flamenco music, and vibrant costumes; audiences will be stomping their feet and feeling the heat all night long.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

One performance only: Saturday, November 5 at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $69 – $25

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater reimagines and diversifies the aesthetics of contemporary dance by uniting modern, classical, American, and African American traditions in dance and storytelling. Deeply Rooted collaborates with nationally renowned choreographers, across the spectrum of modern, ballet, and African dance, to reflect contemporary voices.

Trinity Irish Dance Company and M.A.D.D. Rhythms with special guest, Dorrance Dance

One performance only: Saturday, April 22 at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $69 – $25

Three masters of rhythm take the stage for a percussive evening full of spirit.  Trinity Irish Dance Company expands and elevates the traditional form of Irish dance through an innovative vision of what the dance form can be.  M.A.D.D. Rhythms is comprised of astounding young, versatile tap dancers from all over Chicago that spread love, joy, and positivity through the form of tap. Special guest, New York-based Dorrance Dance, is an award-winning tap dance company with a deep dedication to tap dance, its traditions, and its possibilities.

Giordance Dance Chicago

One performance only: Saturday, June 10 at 7:30PM

Tickets range from $69 – $25

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Giordano Dance Chicago and its rousing, energetic, and innovating stylings redefine the very meaning of jazz.  Expect both new works and audience classics from one of the longest-running jazz dance companies in the world.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE    

National Geographic Live is a series of informative, entertaining, and awe-inspiring multi-media events featuring expert speakers addressing global issues. New lower single ticket prices encourage family attendance.

Greenwood: A Century of Resilience

Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 2PM

Tickets are priced at $48 and $25

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, archaeologist Alicia Odewale is uncovering stories of resilience in the hundred years since the attack on Black Wall Street. Considered one of the worst episodes of racial violence committed against Black people in American history, the Tulsa Race Massacre left a devastating toll on generations of survivors and their descendants and impacted the very footprint of the district itself. See how archaeology can be used as a tool for recovering lost stories, reclaiming a narrative, and pursuing restorative justice.

How to Clone a Mammoth

Sunday, March 26 at 2PM

Tickets are priced at $48 and $25

Emerging Explorer Beth Shapiro is investigating the intriguing possibility of bringing back to life extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons.  From deciding which species should be restored to anticipating how revived populations might be overseen in the wild, the technical challenges and ethical considerations of de-extinction are substantial. Join Shapiro for a vivid exploration into the extraordinary cutting-edge—and controversial—science that is being used today to resurrect the past.

Coral Kingdom and Empires of Ice

Sunday, April 30 at 2PM

Tickets are priced at $48 and $25

Audiences are invited to explore rarely seen undersea worlds with two National Geographic photographers creating a visual voice for the world’s oceans. Join underwater photography legend David Doubilet and photojournalist Jennifer Hayes to explore the rich and diverse waters of Kim be Bay, Papua New Guinea, part of the “coral triangle.” Dive into the world beneath the Antarctic ice, then north to the Gulf of St. Lawrence to see whales, wolfish and harp seals. Together, they’ll go beyond the published stories to share the reality of “behind-the-camera” adventures.

HOLIDAY CONCERT SPECIALS

A pair of holiday music concerts in December ring in the season, including the return of the popular annual Too Hot to Handel offering.  

Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah

Two performances only: Saturday, December 3 at 7:30PM and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3PM

Tickets range from $68 – $28

Celebrating 18 years, audiences are invited to warm up, rejoice and feel inspired this holiday season with a totally reinvented rendition of Handel’s classic Messiah. Join the chorus of Chicagoans for a night of world-class musicians: a harmonious chamber orchestra, an exuberant jazz combo, a grand 100-voice choir, and three gifted soloists: Alfreda Burke, Karen-Marie Richardson, and Rodrick Dixon.

Celtic Woman 

One performance only: Sunday, December 11 at 7PM

Tickets range from $68 – $28

Since its 2005 debut, the multi-platinum best-selling Celtic Woman has emerged as a global musical sensation and genuine cultural phenomenon.  Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, while continuing its remarkable 16-year legacy of introducing some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians onto the world stage.

Please note program subject to change. 

Tickets

Now available are create-your-own-series subscriptions, offering ticket discounts from 15% – 25% off the purchase of three or more presentations. Single tickets for all presentations will go on sale Monday, August 1, at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling 312.341.2300, or at the Box Office at 50 E Ida B Wells Drive in Chicago, IL. Click here for phone and in-person hours. Special ticket pricing is available for groups and students; please visit AuditoriumTheatre.org for more information.

Special thanks

The Auditorium Theatre wishes to thank its 2022-23 season sponsors: MacArthur Foundation and Illinois Arts Council.  Series sponsors include: The Florian Fund (Global and Chicago Dance); Joyce Chelburg, Pamela Crutchfield, and Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner (Chicago Dance); and Deborah and Bruce Crown (National Geographic Live).  The Auditorium’s official hotel partner is the Palmer House Hilton.

About The Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre, located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive at Roosevelt University in Chicago, is an Illinois not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark that originally opened in 1889. For a complete listing of events at the Auditorium Theatre, please visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

The Auditorium Theatre is fully committed to the health and safety of our patrons and our staff. As performance dates draw closer, click here for the most current safety protocols.