Joffrey Opens Season With Chicago Premiere Of Cathy Marston's JANE EYRE

The Joffrey Ballet opens its 2019-20 season with the Chicago premiere of Cathy Marston's enthralling adaptation of the classic novel, Jane Eyre, presented at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, in 10 performances only, October 16-27, 2019. The 2019-20 season marks the Joffrey's final season at the Auditorium Theatre. The Company moves to the Lyric Opera House with the start of the 2020-2021 season.

Presented in partnership with American Ballet Theatre and set to music by Philip Feeney, Marston's celebrated adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel combines theater and dance to tell the coming-of-age story of one of literature's most iconic characters.

This production of Jane Eyre challenges the idea of a classic ballet heroine. After a difficult upbringing, Jane becomes the Governess for the mysterious Mr. Rochester, discovering the struggles of society's expectations. With stirring choreography and a captivating Victorian design, this avant-garde ballet shows that love can conquer any obstacle.

"Cathy is breaking glass ceilings in the ballet world, and with Jane Eyre she creates an unconventional heroine whose trials and passions are beautifully articulated through choreography," said Ashley Wheater, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of the Joffrey. "We are thrilled to bring her adaptation of Jane Eyre to Chicago for the first time following its successful North American debut with American Ballet Theatre this past June."

Jane Eyre features live music performed by the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet.

The Joffrey Ballet performs Cathy Marston's Jane Eyre Wednesday, October 16 through Sunday, October 27, 2019. The full performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 pm; Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, October 27 at 2 pm.

Single tickets, priced from $35 to $199, are available for purchase beginning August 1, 2019 at The Joffrey Ballet's official Box Office located in the lobby of Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, as well as the Auditorium Theatre Box Office, by telephone at 312.386.8905, or online at joffrey.org.

Cathy Marston is a choreographer, artistic director, Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow and board member of the Damzentrale Bern. After education in Cambridge, she spent two years at the Royal Ballet School, before launching a successful international career now spanning over 20 years.

As Associate Artist of the Royal Opera House for five years, Marston created a critically acclaimed interpretation of Ibsen's Ghosts. During her six-year tenure in Switzerland directing the Bern Ballett, her British 'respect for the playwright' became influenced by the ideas of German theatre and 'Director's Theatre,' resulting in her unique, hybrid signature. Lending new perspectives to old narratives in her versions of Bronte's Jane Eyre, Nabokov's Lolita, Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, or in her historically inspired Witch-hunt: all are danced stories stripped back to their essence, displaying high-quality technique and unflinching expressive integrity.

Marston has said her proudest moments include major creations for San Francisco Ballet, Northern Ballet, Danish Royal Ballet (and many more) as well as launching her charitable company, The Cathy Marston Project and rescuing Bern Ballett from threatened closure. Learn more about Marston here.

Photo by Emma Kauldhar