Magic. That’s what what I kept thinking during Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
I was mesmerized by twirling dresses, dancing toys and fairytales come to life, and based on their wide eyes, I am pretty sure every kid in the audience was hit by the same pixie dust.
For anyone who dreamt of being a ballerina when they grew up—which is everyone, obviously—this gorgeous, colorful illustration of a time-tested holiday experience is a must-see. It’s a tradition that Chicagoans hold dear, and the final production of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker does not disappoint.
As Clara’s dreams unfold on stage, the story is set to the beat of that heart-warming, familiar score. The entire cast is magnificent, but the children in the show are a true marvel to watch in their flawless, cherubic performances.
During intermission, the whispers overwhelmed the crowd: “How do they do it? They make it look so effortless. You know they spend their whole lives training for this. They are so incredibly talented.”
There’s a whole new level of “wow” added when you find out that some of these elegant dancers—who are physically superior to us, the commoners, in every way—are actually parents too.
Joffrey Ballet extraordinares Victoria Jaiani and Temur Suluashvili are married and have a beautiful baby boy. One-year-old Maxim sometimes has his mother, now in her thirteenth season with Joffrey, wishing she had a third hand. With the ballet and a baby, she couldn’t be busier. But Jaiani says she also couldn’t be happier.
“It’s a dream come true to still be able to dance and pursue my passion and be able to show my son the importance of following your dreams and to give him that passion for arts and culture,” she says.
And if anyone could handle a baby and a demanding career gracefully, you better believe it’s a Joffrey ballerina.
You only have a few more chances to see the enchantment for yourself. Get your tickets here!
