Dance Theatre of Harlem brings 'Firebird' to Chicago

Dance Theatre of Harlem took a stop in Chicago at The Auditorium Theatre on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 7:30 pm—the first time since 2016. With a journey through time, three distinct pieces showcased the evolution of ballet through the decades, spanning 1960 to 1999.

Perhaps the most anticipated of the evening was Firebird, the 1910 Ballets Russes commission originally choreographed by Michel Fokine that ignited composer Igor Stravinsky’s career. Dance Theatre of Harlem pulled out all the stops for this particular portion of the evening. John Taras’ new choreography was brought to life with whimsical, floral set pieces, as well as bold, glittering costuming.

Billowing pinks and oranges danced dreamlike across the stage as the princesses weaved through one another, and the evil sorcerer and his guards commanded the space as they catapulted into the air and crawled across the floor. But nothing could be quite as captivating as the Firebird herself. The audience witnessed a marriage between striking birdlike movements of the head and torso and quick, fearless feet—all of which fueled the fluid, yet powerful, flight of this vibrant character.

A jolt to the senses, the soaring sounds of R&B and soul kickstarted the evening. Artistic Director Robert Garland presented his 1999 choreography in Return, featuring the music of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and more. It was a suite of celebration, combining the classic ballet technique with the freedom and grooves of the soul and funk era. From a sensual, shadowed duet against a deep red background that tugged at the gut to a grooving soul train resurrection, Garland presents a fusion between balletic structure with Black movement and expression.

The second Donizetti Variations was a rewind to traditional American ballet roots. A flip of the coin from toe-tapping rhythms to orchestral dramatics, this 1960 George Balanchine choreography was a light-hearted jaunt set beside the music of the opera Don Sebastian and an ode to founder Arthur Mitchell’s history and connection to Balanchine.

These three diverse pieces delivered an evening of celebration and emotional uplift. You can learn more at dancetheatreofharlem.org, as well as browse upcoming Chicago shows and touring productions at auditoriumtheatre.org.