Joffrey Ballet wins best Nutcracker for third time
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CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Chicago’s very own Joffrey Ballet has won the title of "Best Nutcracker in the Country" for the third time.
The Joffrey's farewell season of "The Nutcracker" beat out more than 106 other Nutcracker productions to win the 9th Annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Award.
The Joffrey Ballet also won the title in 2011 and 2012.
The honor is extra special this year because after 28 years, the 2015 season marks the last year the Joffrey is doing their Robert Joffrey version of the Nutcracker. The show is running now until Sunday, Dec. 27.
"As we celebrate this production's final year, we're honored to be named America's most beloved Nutcracker and are proud to commemorate this production's enduring legacy one final time with this award," Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director Ashley Wheater said in a press release.
Next year, the Joffrey Ballet has the honor of performing the World Premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker.
The Robert Joffrey version of the Nutcracker premiered in 1987 and has since been a Chicago holiday tradition. The production brings together the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet Company, a large children's cast, and several special needs students.