Hamberg Ballet bids farewell to John Neumeier with final performance of ‘The Glass Menagerie’

From Thurs., Feb. 23 to Saturday, Feb. 25, Harris Theatre will host the Hamburg Ballet’s performance of ‘The Glass Menagerie,’ written by esteemed choreographer John Neumeier, who will celebrate his 50th and final season with the legendary German dance company.

Born in Milwaukee, Neumeier trained as a dancer in Chicago before picking up his first professional gigs in the city. In his 20s, he went on to perform in Germany as a member of the Stuttgart Ballet and soon became their choreographer. Almost a decade later, Neumeier found himself as artistic director for Ballet Frankfurt. A few years later, in 1973, he joined the Hamburg Ballet as their artistic director and chief choreographer, leading the company to international acclaim.

Now at age 83, Neumeier has composed over 160 works inspired by various forms of music, art, and literature.

Neumeier is no stranger to the Chicago art scene, having choreographed ballet sequences for Lyric Opera’s 2017-2018 season performance of ‘Orphée et Eurydice.’ Notably, the production was Lyric Opera’s first collaboration with the Joffrey Ballet.

‘The Glass Menagerie’ is an interpretation of the well-known memory play by author Tennessee Williams, which premiered in Chicago in 1944. Patrons of the arts can purchase tickets for Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. or Saturday at 2 p.m., with prices starting at $35.