Opening night for The Joffrey Ballet’s spooktacular ‘Frankenstein’

The Joffrey Ballet opened its 68th season with the highly anticipated Chicago premiere of Liam Scarlett's critically acclaimed interpretation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This 19th-century novel-turned-pop culture classic is an ambitious production that features sensational choreography, costumes, special effects, pyrotechnics, and an original score. And even though the show runs 2 hours and 42 minutes with two intermissions, the sold-out opening night crowd stayed riveted to their seats.

Just in time for spooky thrills, Frankenstein, with an original score by Lowell Liebermann and stage design by John Macfarlane, is one of the most innovative works of dance today, according to dance experts and enthusiasts. And after seeing The Joffrey’s production, I couldn’t agree more.

The story opens in Geneva in 1788 at the Frankenstein Manor and weaves through an astonishingly real depiction of an 18^th century circular anatomy theater where we meet the “creature,” played brilliantly on opening night by Jonathan Dole.  The electrifying pyrotechnics were so realistic, some audience members gasped. I don’t want to give anymore away, so let me just say it’s nothing like anything you’ve seen onstage before. 

The “creature’s” makeup alone was worth the price of admission with the dancer wearing a nude bodysuit criss-crossed with bloody scars, no bolts sticking out of his neck. His eerie onstage presence takes the audience to a whole new level of horror as he stalks his master from scene to scene for acceptance.

I am definitely not one for long productions, but time flew by for this performance and left you wanting more. As soon as you walked into the theater, you were in Shelley’s world with a ginormous backdrop of a skull leering down at you, and so off we went. The scenery and costumes were courtesy of San Francisco Ballet and The Royal Ballet.

And even though there are elements of fear, it’s also a touching story of the creature’s yearning for love from his master only to be rejected. Other love stories were woven throughout. I was told the reason for the length of the production and double intermissions were so the dancers could rest in-between the rigorous routines and the intricate props could be moved from place to place. 

Live music was conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet. Let me just say, it was haunting too.

No details were overlooked in this thrilling production that will most assuredly stick with you. It’s a must-see, although I wouldn’t recommend it for small children.

Ticket Information

The Joffrey Ballet presents Liam Scarlett’s Frankenstein now through Sunday, October 22, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive. The full schedule is as follows: Friday, October 13 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, October 14 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday, October 15 at 2:00 PM; Thursday, October 19 at 7:30 PM; Friday, October 20 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, October 21 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; and Sunday, October 22 at 2:00 PM.

Single tickets start at $36 and are available for purchase at Lyric Opera Box Office located at 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr. and by telephone at 312.386.8905, or online at joffrey.org.