The celebrated pianist Emanuel Ax first performed at Hancher in 1974, and now, a little over four decades — and a brand new building — later, the pianist is returning to the lauded venue’s stage.
At 7:30 p.m. today, Ax will perform selections from Schubert and Chopin at Hancher.
Including his shows in 1974 and 2016, Ax has performed nine times at Hancher. He’s taken the stage solo and with a variety of other collaborators, including world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Cleveland Quartet, and the Brandenburg Ensemble. This year’s performance, however, will mark the first time for Ax to return to Hancher since 1999.
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University of Iowa Research and Economic Development - Friday, December 2, 2016
We have such a responsibility with the Nutcracker,” said Christopher Wheeldon, Tony award winning choreographer at the Creative Matters panel on Nov. 29. “The Nutcracker is going to be many children’s first theatrical experience–the first time going to the theater–the gateway to what we hope to be the audience of the future. Everybody remembers their first Nutcracker.”
Wheeldon and a portion of the Joffrey Nutcracker artistic team–Julian Crouch, set, costume, mask designer; Ashley Wheater, Joffrey artistic director; and April Daly, Joffrey dancer–gathered to discuss the creative process of reimagining the classic Nutcracker ballet in a cozy corner of the Stanley Café at Hancher ahead of preview performances, Dec. 1-4.
The New York Times - Friday, December 2, 2016
The tree wasn’t growing correctly. The projection cues weren’t right. A mouse got stuck as it scurried up a pole. The Nutcracker’s sword broke, then broke again. “Stop, please,” Christopher Wheeldon called out patiently for the umpteenth time as the technical team of his new production of “The Nutcracker,” for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, worked away at a table in the newly rebuilt, gleaming Hancher Auditorium here recently.
Iowa City Press Citizen - Thursday, December 1, 2016
Last Friday, in a dark Hancher Auditorium lit only by stage lights and the screens of a dozen laptops from a team of animators, lighting technicians and directors, the voice of Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon came over a sound system and filled the room.
"Dancers, we're back."
For more than a week, a production team of more than 80 people, including some of the most respected minds in the arts world, have taken over Hancher Auditorium to rehearse a new $4 million production of "The Nutcracker."
The Daily Iowan - Thursday, December 1, 2016
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.
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.