Theatre News Wire

The Auditorium Theatre is thrilled to announce its 2021-22 Season, with Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater officially reopening the historic stage on October 16, 2021. 

"We are thrilled to share with Chicago our 2021-22 Season, and welcome back audiences to our National Historic Landmark," said Auditorium Theatre CEO Rich Regan. "For over 131 years, the Auditorium Theatre has captured our hearts and sparked our imaginations through the collective experience of live performance, and this season is no different! There is something for everyone here: music, dance, and lectures featuring the finest performers from all over the globe including the very best artists from Chicago."

The International Dance Series opens in February with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez celebrating their 70th anniversary! Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater makes its annual visit to Chicago where the company has been performing at the Auditorium for over 50 years. Ballet Hispanico presents the Chicago premiere of a new full-length work about the life of Eva Peron, and Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg brings back a reimagined version of their infamous Russian Hamlet.

The "Made in Chicago" Dance Series continues to highlight the city's world-renowned dance companies. Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater's performance will reopen the theatre in October with the company's year-long celebration of their 45th anniversary, followed a week later by Deeply Rooted Dance Theater presenting the world-premiere of a work dedicated to Quincy Jones. In 2022, Trinity Irish Dance Company returns to the Auditorium once again with a program focusing on the company's powerful women dancers, and Giordano Dance Chicago closes the 2021-22 Season with a high-energy evening from America's original jazz dance company.

The Music Series features the Auditorium Theatre's signature production of Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz Gospel Messiah, an annual tradition every Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. The complete 2021-22 Music Series is still being curated and will be announced this fall.

The Auditorium Theatre's National Geographic Live speaker series will feature photographer and filmmaker Ami Viatale in Wild Hope; paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim in Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous; and biologist-turned-photographer Ronan Donovan in Social by Nature.