Joffrey Ballet opens season with Chicago premiere of 'Liliom'

The Joffrey Ballet will launch its 2026-27 season with the Chicago premiere of John Neumeier's Liliom, a rarely performed narrative ballet that explores love, loss and redemption through one of the most emotionally powerful stories in modern dance. The production will be presented for just 10 performances at the Lyric Opera House from Sept. 17 through Sept. 27.

Inspired by Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play, which later became the basis for the beloved musical Carousel, Liliom transports audiences to a faded Depression-era amusement park where carnival barker Liliom falls deeply in love with Julie. As pride, poverty and desperation push him toward crime, the story unfolds into a poignant examination of guilt, forgiveness and the hope for redemption.

This marks the first time an American ballet company has staged Neumeier's acclaimed production, offering Chicago audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of the legendary choreographer's most celebrated works.

Known for blending theatrical storytelling with emotionally rich choreography, Neumeier returns to the Joffrey following the company's acclaimed production of The Little Mermaid in 2023 and its collaboration with Lyric Opera on Orphée et Eurydice in 2017.

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Adding to the production's cinematic atmosphere is an evocative score by multiple Academy Award-winning composer Michel Legrand, performed live by the Lyric Opera Orchestra under the direction of Joffrey Music Director Scott Speck.

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The production opens the Joffrey's ambitious 2026-27 season, which also includes Christopher Wheeldon's beloved The Nutcracker (Dec. 4-27, 2026), Notes on Love (Feb. 4-14, 2027), featuring works by Liam Scarlett, Nicolas Blanc and a world premiere by Houston Thomas, and concludes with the North American premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's lavish production of The Sleeping Beauty (May 13-23, 2027).

Performances of Liliom will take place Sept. 17-27 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, with evening and matinee performances scheduled throughout the run. Tickets are available through The Joffrey Ballet, the production's only official ticket seller, by calling 312-386-8905, visiting the Lyric Opera Box Office or online here. 

Presented with support from Liliom Presenting Sponsors Lynda Sue Lane, M.D. and Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson, along with Major Sponsor Pamela Crutchfield and Production Sponsors Holly Palmer Foundation and Max Mara, this highly anticipated production promises to be one of Chicago's signature performing arts events of the fall.