Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, “one of the best known companies in the world” (The Associated Press) that “never fails to inspire and delight” (Chicago Tonight), returns to its Chicago home of more than 50 years as a Visiting Resident Company. Presenting premieres, new productions, timeless classics, and audience favorites, the “extraordinary Ailey dancers” (Chicago Tribune) are known for their incredible artistry and mastery of modern, ballet, hip-hop, and a variety of dance techniques. “If you haven’t seen a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in a while, you might forget just how accomplished the company’s dancers are. You know they can do anything, but the visible evidence can leave you reeling” (The New Yorker).

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) celebrates its 80th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of Natalia Makarova’s restaging of La Bayadère when it returns to Chicago as the Auditorium Theatre’s Visiting Resident Ballet Company. Set in the Royal India of the past, ABT’s La Bayadère is a“sumptuous full-length ballet” (The New York Times) that tells an enthralling story of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance, and justice in a “hypnotic spectacle of precision and heavenly harmony”(The Washington Post). With dramatic dancing, opulent sets, and exquisite costumes, ABT’s La Bayadère makes for “edge-of-your-seat watching” (The New York Times).

Considered “the world’s greatest dance company” (The Independent), Russia’s premier ballet company makes a triumphant return to Chicago and to the historic Auditorium Theatre after 16 years. Yuri Grigorovich’s Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score (performed by the Chicago Philharmonic), incorporates choreography from masters Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, and Alexander Gorsky. Called “dazzling” and “immensely rewarding” (The Telegraph), Swan Lake highlights the “world’s greatest dancers” (BBC) and the “emotional, athletic, and theatrical style” (The Washington Post) that earned the company its international acclaim. Chicago is one of only two US cities to host the Bolshoi in 2020, and the exclusive presenter of Swan Lake.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, “one of the best known companies in the world” (The Associated Press) that “never fails to inspire and delight” (Chicago Tonight), returns to its Chicago home of more than 50 years as a Visiting Resident Company. Presenting premieres, new productions, timeless classics, and audience favorites, the “extraordinary Ailey dancers” (Chicago Tribune) are known for their incredible artistry and mastery of modern, ballet, hip-hop, and a variety of dance techniques. “If you haven’t seen a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in a while, you might forget just how accomplished the company’s dancers are. You know they can do anything, but the visible evidence can leave you reeling” (The New Yorker).

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) celebrates its 80th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of Natalia Makarova’s restaging of La Bayadère when it returns to Chicago as the Auditorium Theatre’s Visiting Resident Ballet Company. Set in the Royal India of the past, ABT’s La Bayadère is a“sumptuous full-length ballet” (The New York Times) that tells an enthralling story of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance, and justice in a “hypnotic spectacle of precision and heavenly harmony”(The Washington Post). With dramatic dancing, opulent sets, and exquisite costumes, ABT’s La Bayadère makes for “edge-of-your-seat watching” (The New York Times).

Considered “the world’s greatest dance company” (The Independent), Russia’s premier ballet company makes a triumphant return to Chicago and to the historic Auditorium Theatre after 16 years. Yuri Grigorovich’s Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score (performed by the Chicago Philharmonic), incorporates choreography from masters Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, and Alexander Gorsky. Called “dazzling” and “immensely rewarding” (The Telegraph), Swan Lake highlights the “world’s greatest dancers” (BBC) and the “emotional, athletic, and theatrical style” (The Washington Post) that earned the company its international acclaim. Chicago is one of only two US cities to host the Bolshoi in 2020, and the exclusive presenter of Swan Lake.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, “one of the best known companies in the world” (The Associated Press) that “never fails to inspire and delight” (Chicago Tonight), returns to its Chicago home of more than 50 years as a Visiting Resident Company. Presenting premieres, new productions, timeless classics, and audience favorites, the “extraordinary Ailey dancers” (Chicago Tribune) are known for their incredible artistry and mastery of modern, ballet, hip-hop, and a variety of dance techniques. “If you haven’t seen a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in a while, you might forget just how accomplished the company’s dancers are. You know they can do anything, but the visible evidence can leave you reeling” (The New Yorker).

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) celebrates its 80th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of Natalia Makarova’s restaging of La Bayadère when it returns to Chicago as the Auditorium Theatre’s Visiting Resident Ballet Company. Set in the Royal India of the past, ABT’s La Bayadère is a“sumptuous full-length ballet” (The New York Times) that tells an enthralling story of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance, and justice in a “hypnotic spectacle of precision and heavenly harmony”(The Washington Post). With dramatic dancing, opulent sets, and exquisite costumes, ABT’s La Bayadère makes for “edge-of-your-seat watching” (The New York Times).

Considered “the world’s greatest dance company” (The Independent), Russia’s premier ballet company makes a triumphant return to Chicago and to the historic Auditorium Theatre after 16 years. Yuri Grigorovich’s Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score (performed by the Chicago Philharmonic), incorporates choreography from masters Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, and Alexander Gorsky. Called “dazzling” and “immensely rewarding” (The Telegraph), Swan Lake highlights the “world’s greatest dancers” (BBC) and the “emotional, athletic, and theatrical style” (The Washington Post) that earned the company its international acclaim. Chicago is one of only two US cities to host the Bolshoi in 2020, and the exclusive presenter of Swan Lake.

The live concert experience of Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele’s Get Out comes to the Auditorium Theatre in this Midwest premiere. Score composer Michael Abels conducts the Chicago Sinfonietta, the city’s most diverse and inclusive orchestra, as they accompany the film with Abels’ heart-pounding music. Get Out, nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, is a film that is equal parts gripping thriller and provocative social commentary.

“What’s this? What’s this?" No, it’s not a dream…The Nightmare Before Christmas is returning to Chicago! Get in the Halloween spirit with a screening of Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion film, featuring beloved songs like “This Is Halloween!” and “Jack’s Lament” performed live-to-film by the Chicago Philharmonic, who “truly [bring] to life the spooky magic of Danny Elfman’s legendary music” (Chicago Stage Standard). This new Chicago tradition has everything you need to celebrate Halloween with your family or your friends: Dress in your Halloween or Nightmare finest and come early for trick-or-treating, fun activities, and a costume contest in the Auditorium Theatre’s historic…and perhaps even haunted…lobby.

The Auditorium Theatre salutes Stephen Sondheim, America’s greatest living composer and lyricist who celebrates his 90^th birthday this season, with a one-night-only performance. Directed and produced by Chicago’s own Joan Curto, who offers “an illuminating way to celebrate the riches of Sondheim’s art” (Chicago Tribune), singers from across the city bring their unique voices to selections from Sweeney Todd, Follies, Company, West Side Story, and more. The legend’s beloved music will be performed by the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Rich Daniels.

Join us for our 2019 Annual Fall Gala, honoring Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner, which includes a ticket to the performance and a Gala reception and dinner at the Palmer House. For more information contact Kelly at 312.341.2364 or [email protected]

The live concert experience of Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele’s Get Out comes to the Auditorium Theatre in this Midwest premiere. Score composer Michael Abels conducts the Chicago Sinfonietta, the city’s most diverse and inclusive orchestra, as they accompany the film with Abels’ heart-pounding music. Get Out, nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, is a film that is equal parts gripping thriller and provocative social commentary.

“What’s this? What’s this?" No, it’s not a dream…The Nightmare Before Christmas is returning to Chicago! Get in the Halloween spirit with a screening of Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion film, featuring beloved songs like “This Is Halloween!” and “Jack’s Lament” performed live-to-film by the Chicago Philharmonic, who “truly [bring] to life the spooky magic of Danny Elfman’s legendary music” (Chicago Stage Standard). This new Chicago tradition has everything you need to celebrate Halloween with your family or your friends: Dress in your Halloween or Nightmare finest and come early for trick-or-treating, fun activities, and a costume contest in the Auditorium Theatre’s historic…and perhaps even haunted…lobby.

The Auditorium Theatre salutes Stephen Sondheim, America’s greatest living composer and lyricist who celebrates his 90^th birthday this season, with a one-night-only performance. Directed and produced by Chicago’s own Joan Curto, who offers “an illuminating way to celebrate the riches of Sondheim’s art” (Chicago Tribune), singers from across the city bring their unique voices to selections from Sweeney Todd, Follies, Company, West Side Story, and more. The legend’s beloved music will be performed by the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Rich Daniels.

Join us for our 2019 Annual Fall Gala, honoring Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner, which includes a ticket to the performance and a Gala reception and dinner at the Palmer House. For more information contact Kelly at 312.341.2364 or [email protected]

The live concert experience of Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele’s Get Out comes to the Auditorium Theatre in this Midwest premiere. Score composer Michael Abels conducts the Chicago Sinfonietta, the city’s most diverse and inclusive orchestra, as they accompany the film with Abels’ heart-pounding music. Get Out, nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, is a film that is equal parts gripping thriller and provocative social commentary.

“What’s this? What’s this?" No, it’s not a dream…The Nightmare Before Christmas is returning to Chicago! Get in the Halloween spirit with a screening of Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion film, featuring beloved songs like “This Is Halloween!” and “Jack’s Lament” performed live-to-film by the Chicago Philharmonic, who “truly [bring] to life the spooky magic of Danny Elfman’s legendary music” (Chicago Stage Standard). This new Chicago tradition has everything you need to celebrate Halloween with your family or your friends: Dress in your Halloween or Nightmare finest and come early for trick-or-treating, fun activities, and a costume contest in the Auditorium Theatre’s historic…and perhaps even haunted…lobby.

The Auditorium Theatre salutes Stephen Sondheim, America’s greatest living composer and lyricist who celebrates his 90^th birthday this season, with a one-night-only performance. Directed and produced by Chicago’s own Joan Curto, who offers “an illuminating way to celebrate the riches of Sondheim’s art” (Chicago Tribune), singers from across the city bring their unique voices to selections from Sweeney Todd, Follies, Company, West Side Story, and more. The legend’s beloved music will be performed by the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Rich Daniels.

Join us for our 2019 Annual Fall Gala, honoring Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner, which includes a ticket to the performance and a Gala reception and dinner at the Palmer House. For more information contact Kelly at 312.341.2364 or [email protected]

This “exuberant, jazz-gospel makeover” (Chicago Tribune) of Handel’s classic Messiah celebrates 15 years in Chicago! Join us on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend to witness the transformational powers of the performing arts and uplift King’s vision of a “beloved community.” With fiery soloists Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke, and Karen Marie Richardson; an orchestra, jazz combo, and 100-person choir under the baton of Suzanne Mallare Acton; and spirited Detroit pianist Alvin Waddles, famous for his jaw-dropping cadenzas, Too Hot is an annual Chicago tradition that fills your soul and spirit.

The live concert experience of Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele’s Get Out comes to the Auditorium Theatre in this Midwest premiere. Score composer Michael Abels conducts the Chicago Sinfonietta, the city’s most diverse and inclusive orchestra, as they accompany the film with Abels’ heart-pounding music. Get Out, nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, is a film that is equal parts gripping thriller and provocative social commentary.

“What’s this? What’s this?" No, it’s not a dream…The Nightmare Before Christmas is returning to Chicago! Get in the Halloween spirit with a screening of Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion film, featuring beloved songs like “This Is Halloween!” and “Jack’s Lament” performed live-to-film by the Chicago Philharmonic, who “truly [bring] to life the spooky magic of Danny Elfman’s legendary music” (Chicago Stage Standard). This new Chicago tradition has everything you need to celebrate Halloween with your family or your friends: Dress in your Halloween or Nightmare finest and come early for trick-or-treating, fun activities, and a costume contest in the Auditorium Theatre’s historic…and perhaps even haunted…lobby.

The Auditorium Theatre salutes Stephen Sondheim, America’s greatest living composer and lyricist who celebrates his 90^th birthday this season, with a one-night-only performance. Directed and produced by Chicago’s own Joan Curto, who offers “an illuminating way to celebrate the riches of Sondheim’s art” (Chicago Tribune), singers from across the city bring their unique voices to selections from Sweeney Todd, Follies, Company, West Side Story, and more. The legend’s beloved music will be performed by the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Rich Daniels.

Join us for our 2019 Annual Fall Gala, honoring Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner, which includes a ticket to the performance and a Gala reception and dinner at the Palmer House. For more information contact Kelly at 312.341.2364 or [email protected]

This “exuberant, jazz-gospel makeover” (Chicago Tribune) of Handel’s classic Messiah celebrates 15 years in Chicago! Join us on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend to witness the transformational powers of the performing arts and uplift King’s vision of a “beloved community.” With fiery soloists Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke, and Karen Marie Richardson; an orchestra, jazz combo, and 100-person choir under the baton of Suzanne Mallare Acton; and spirited Detroit pianist Alvin Waddles, famous for his jaw-dropping cadenzas, Too Hot is an annual Chicago tradition that fills your soul and spirit.

Two beloved Chicago companies that explore identity and culture through dance and music share the Auditorium Theatre’s stage in this one-night-only performance. The world-renowned Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, is “pushing Spanish dance into the 21^st century” (Chicago Tribune), fusing flamenco, folkloric, classical, and contemporary styles. Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre “has never looked better” (See Chicago Dance), using dance, music, and visual art to contemplate the ideas and themes that shape our communities.

Celebrate Leap Day with Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) as they fly across the Auditorium Theatre’s stage! TIDC follows its acclaimed 2019 return to Chicago and the Auditorium Theatre with a new program featuring audience favorites and brand-new works. The company effortlessly “[stretches] the limits of what Irish dance can do aesthetically and rhythmically” (Chicago Tribune) and “entices you with mesmerizing footwork that seems unreal” (Chicago Stage Standard). Helmed by founder and artistic director Mark Howard and associate artistic director Chelsea Hoy, TIDC elevates the art form and puts its strong female dancers at the forefront.

Giordano Dance Chicago, the “powerful tour de force of Chicago’s dance community that consistently brings us to our feet” (Chicago Tribune) comes to the Auditorium Theatre for its fifth full-length performance, celebrating its 57th season with exhilarating new pieces and classic repertory favorites. Led by Artistic Director Nan Giordano, named the Chicago Tribune’s 2018 Chicagoan of the Year in Dance, the mesmerizing performers of America’s original jazz dance company always bring down the house with “eye-popping, high-impact, aerobically fearsome pieces” (Chicago Tonight).

This season, National Geographic Live returns to the Auditorium’s historic stage with a new series focused on the daring explorers who are dedicated to protecting our planet.

In an effort to learn more about the uncharted glory of the Grand Canyon, which was officially declared a National Park 100 years ago, writer Kevin Fedarko and photographer/filmmaker Pete McBride set off on an audacious and demanding adventure to travel the length of the canyon on foot. These National Geographic explorers shed light on the myriad environmental threats that the National Park currently faces and share stories from their trek, accompanied by McBride’s stunning photos and videos that showcase the beauty of the landmark canyon.

This season, National Geographic Live returns to the Auditorium’s historic stage with a new series focused on the daring explorers who are dedicated to protecting our planet.

From trekking India’s Himalayas in search of rare snow leopards and tracking the elusive jaguar through Latin American jungles to pursuing the American cougar throughout Hollywood Hills, award-winning National Geographic photographer Steve Winter has ventured far and wide to come face-to-face with his subjects. This is no easy task – many of these species are in danger of extinction. Follow Winter into the endangered, wild, and unpredictable world of these creatures as he reveals some of his most memorable experiences from working with big cats and discusses the work that is being done to save them.

This season, National Geographic Live returns to the Auditorium’s historic stage with a new series focused on the daring explorers who are dedicated to protecting our planet.

Husband-and-wife duo Tim Laman and Cheryl Knott have dedicated their lives to understanding and protecting orangutans, a threatened species that can only be observed a handful of places around the world. Together, biological anthropologist Knott and photojournalist Laman have combined innovative new techniques with traditional fieldwork to get a closer look at these incredible animals. In this presentation, the pair provides a closer look into the work that they’ve done with this intelligent, resourceful, and endangered species with whom we share 97% of our DNA, giving us insights not only into the animals’ world, but also our own.

This season, National Geographic Live returns to the Auditorium’s historic stage with a new series focused on the daring explorers who are dedicated to protecting our planet.

National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry has captured the soul of the sea for more than 20 years, spending more than 10,000 hours underwater (often in extreme conditions beneath Arctic ice or in predator-infested waters). Journey with him from the North Atlantic, where harp seals face off with commercial hunters, to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in search of the endangered bluefin tuna, to research facilities around the world to study dolphin intelligence. The images Skerry captures offer a mesmerizing glimpse into the soul of the sea and remind us why we need to preserve our oceans.