Auditorium Theatre

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The Auditorium Theatre of Roosvelt University presents the world renowned Kirov Ballet and Orchestra's Production of Giselle October 2-5.
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CHICAGO — The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) and The Pasquinelli Family Foundation bring the world renowned Kirov Ballet to Chicago to perform its production of the classic romance Giselle for five performances, October 2 – 5. The show opens ATRU’s 2008 – 2009 International Dance Series. Tickets are on sale now.

Several of the world’s foremost ballet dancers will perform in Chicago. Alternating in the title role of Giselle are Diana Vishneva, Irma Nioradze and Olesia Novikova; her ill-fated paramour Albrecht will be danced by Igor Kolb, Yevgeny Ivanchenko and Vladimir Shklyarov. Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot’s original choreography, revised by Petipa for the ballet’s 1884 Kirov debut, will be performed by the company’s peerless dancers as the 66-piece Kirov Orchestra fills the acoustically perfect Auditorium Theatre with Adolphe Adam’s sumptuous score.

“The Kirov’s 2006 Chicago performances of Swan Lake marked the company’s first Chicago appearance in almost 16 years, and the response was overwhelming,” said Brett Batterson, Executive Director of ATRU. “I was determined not to allow for such a long hiatus between Kirov appearances again, and so I am thrilled that the company will once again grace our stage with this classic ballet.”

Giselle tells the story of a nobleman named Count Albrecht who woos and falls in love with the peasant girl Giselle. He keeps his title a secret from her, and also does not mention that he is already betrothed to a woman named Bathilde, daughter of the Prince. When Giselle discovers the deceit, she is inconsolable, goes into deep despair and dies of a broken heart. In the second act, Giselle’s undying love for Albrecht saves him from the evil magic of the Wilis, vampiric ghosts of betrothed but betrayed maidens. Their leader, Mirta Queen of the Wilis, tries to force Albrecht to dance himself to death until Giselle, now a Wili herself, intervenes long enough to spare his life.

Founded in St. Petersburg in 1783, the Kirov (officially known as St. Petersburg Mariinsky Ballet after its home theater) is under the artistic direction of Valery Gergiev. The company is inexorably linked with the entire history of the development of Russian choreographic art. The Kirov’s alumni list reads like a roster of the Russia’s finest dancers, and includes Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov. “When it comes to grand and glorious, the Kirov Ballet may well rank atop the world,” according to the Chicago Tribune.

ATRU will celebrate the Kirov’s return to Chicago with a lavish post-performance champagne and dessert reception with the dancers and members of the artistic team in the lobby of the theater, Thursday, Oct. 2. Tickets for this unique event are priced at $75 and all proceeds benefit ATRU. Call 312.922.2110 ext 368 for reservations to this special event.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and The Pasquinelli Family Foundation present the Kirov Ballet and Orchestra’s Giselle for five shows Oct. 2 – 5. The performance schedule and principal casting is as follows: Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. (Vishneva / Kolb); Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. (Nioradze / Ivanchenko); Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. (Novikova / Shklyarov); Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. (Nioradze / Ivanchenko) and Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. (Vishneva / Kolb). Casting is subject to change.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $125 and are available by calling 312.902.1500, visiting Ticketmaster.com or visiting the Auditorium Theatre box office located at 50 East Congress Parkway.

Groups of 10 or more may receive a discount on The Kirov Ballet and other select shows, by calling 312.922.2110 ext. 357.

Family Matinee Series

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University’s Family Matinee Series is designed specifically to awaken children’s interest in live performance and plant the seed for developing an appreciation of the arts. This unique opportunity allows patrons to receive a free children’s subscription with the purchase of a full-price adult subscription. This year’s Family Matinee Series will introduce children to an eclectic mix of dance and music offerings, including classical ballet with the Kirov Ballet and Orchestra’s Giselle (Oct. 4), the Auditorium Theatre’s annual Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah (Dec. 14), and innovative modern dance with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (April 4). Each family matinee performance is followed by a question and answer session with members of the shows’ artistic teams. This interactive experience can dramatically change the impact of the performing arts on its viewers, and with the involvement of families it can also empower youth to express themselves.

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theatre tours, call (312) 922-2110 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org, now featuring Chicago’s Landmark Stage, a comprehensive online history of the Auditorium from 1889 through today, made possible by the generous support of the American Express Performing Arts Fund.

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University is supported by the Illinois Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs CityArts Grant. United Airlines is the official and exclusive airline sponsor, and the Palmer House Hilton is the Auditorium’s official hotel partner.

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