Joffrey Ballet Presents Don Quixote
After being postponed in February due to COVID-19, The Joffrey Ballet proudly presents the international classic Don Quixote for the first time since its world premiere in 2011. Choreographed by Yuri Possokhov and set to the canonical score by Ludwig Minkus, Don Quixote features a family-friendly, universally beloved story of adventure, romance, and the power of belief. Don Quixote closes the curtain on the Joffrey inaugural season at the historic Lyric Opera House in downtown Chicago at 20 North Upper Wacker Drive, in ten performances only, June 2-12, 2022.
One of the most translated texts in human history, Don Quixote centers on an eccentric nobleman who imagines himself to be a valiant knight. With his trusted sidekick Sancho Panza in tow, Quixote embarks on a humorous and fateful journey, ready to breathe life into a world where windmills become monsters and adventure awaits beyond the horizon. Miguel de Cervantes's timeless novel of bravery and hope has inspired endless cultural adaptations around the world, from music, opera, and ballet to poetry, fine art, and film.
"The return of the perennial story Don Quixote to The Joffrey Ballet feels especially relevant emerging out of a trying time when we could all use a dash of light-hearted romance," said Ashley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of the Joffrey. "We are thrilled to be working again with Yuri, a frequent collaborator of the Joffrey and a modern master of this ballet. Don Quixote has been an inspiration throughout his career, first as a dancer and then as a choreographer. His voice translates well through the Joffrey's energetic and expressive dancers, matching the gusto of this joyful and ambitious ballet."
"After two postponed performances due to the pandemic, Don Quixote serendipitously comes at the perfect time as we welcome summer in Chicago and new beginnings with a performance full of warmth, perseverance, and optimism," added Joffrey President and CEO Greg Cameron. "We look forward to closing our inaugural season at Lyric-our new performance home-with a ballet classic, one that resonates with audiences of all ages."