**** Highly Recommended **** The Joffrey Ballet’s production of Eugene Onegin is dramatic, elegant, romantic, poignant and truly exquisite. Seeing Yuri Possokhov’s emotive choreography interpreted with incredible artistry by the Joffrey company was a transformative experience. Every movement demonstrated acting ability as well as grace and artistry. Eugene Onegin – c’est magnifique! 4 BIG Spotlights
The opening scene of Eugene Onegin is very dramatic, as Onegin (José Pablo Castro Cuevas in a tour de force performance),stands aloof and alone at a funeral. When he does start to move, it’s angular, staccato arm movement. When he starts to dance, his movements begin to bring Onegin's character into focus.
Eugene Onegin: José Pablo Castro Cuevas. Photo by Cheryl Mann
Although there is a group of funeral guests off to the side, Onegin never interacts with them. Eventually, he’s joined by his friend, Vladimir Lensky (Xavier Núñez), as they climb into a carriage, pull the top forward, and drive off.
Funeral guests: Edson Barbosa, Jonathan Dole, Derek Drilon, Guillem Cabrera Espinach, Hansol Jeong, Blake Kessler, Hyuma Kiyosawa, Scott Reed, Aaron Renteria, Valentino Moneglia Zamora. Maids: Elena Martinez Santamaria***, Allyson Schmitt-Vallejo***
The ballet is divided into four acts based on the four seasons. Each season is introduced with a passage quoted directly from the Oxford World’s Classics edition of Eugene Onedin, translated by James E. Falen, vocalized by Alex Jennings. In addition to the poetry, the seasons (actually segues) are represented by spirits.
Eugene Onegin: The Joffrey Ballet Ensemble. Photo by Cheryl Mann
Spring Spirits: Coco Alvarez-Mena, Lucia Connolly, Seehyun Kim, Nae Kojima, Anabelle de la Nuez, Basia Rhoden, Julia Rust, Natali Taht, Ao Wang
In the country, Lensky introduces Onegin to his fiancée, bubbly, vivacious Olga Larina (Anais Bueno), her more quiet sister Tatiana (Victoria Jaiani), and their mother, Praskovya (Christine Rocas). Lensky and Olga dance a flirtatious pas de deux which was exquisite!
Eugene Onegin: Anais Bueno and Xavier Núñez. Photo by Cheryl Mann
Tatiana, who is drawn to Onegin, decides she’s in love with him. Later that evening, she writes him a love letter which she has her nanny (Lauren Quinn) deliver. Onegin rejects her in no uncertain terms, hurting her deeply.
Summer Spirits: Evan Boersma, Fernando Duarte, Reed Henry, Hyuma Kiyosawa, Zachary Manske, Wictor Hugo Pedroso, Aaron Renteria, Jasper Stanford*
Olga, Tatiana and their friends (Dayla Bowman, Tenley Connors, Laila Madison) use an old book to divine their futures. Afterwards, Tatiana puts the book under her pillow and falls asleep and has a dream. Olga and Lensky dance along with some very strange creatures until a bear, who turns out to be Onegin, dances with Olga, then kills Lensky.
Dream creatures: Gayeon Jung, Basia Rhoden, Edson Barbosa, Jonathan Dole, Derek Drilon, Scott Reed, Valentino Moneglia Zamora
Eugene Onegin: José Pablo Castro Cuevas and Victoria Jaiani. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Many of their country neighbors attend the Larin ball. Onegin is too sophisticated for this country affair, and he’s bored, so he decides to flirt with Olga, humiliating her fiancé, Lensky, and hurting Tatiana who’s in love with him. Lensky challenges Onegin to a duel.
Larin Ballroom Couples: Dara Holmes, Amanda Illuminati, Gayeon Jung, Laila Madison, Lindy Mesmer, Anabelle de la Nuez, Lauren Quinn, Edson Barbosa, Jonathan Dole, Derek Drilon, Hansol Jeong, Blake Kessler, Scott Reed, Valentino Moneglia Zamora
Band: Jacob Anderson***, Devin Griffith***, Max Prince-Rosenberg***, Gael Arturo Andrade Rodriguez***, Sheppard Littrell*****
Eugene Onegin: Xavier Núñez. Photo by Cheryl Mann
Autumn Spirits: Gayeon Jung, Jeraldine Mendoza, Lauren Quinn, Edson Barbosa, Blake Kessler, Zachary Manske
Lensky doesn’t want to fight a duel with his closest friend, but his pride won’t let him back down. When Onegin arrives, Lensky’s second (Paolo Randon) hands each of them a dueling pistol and Onegin kills Lensky, then leaves the country.
When Tatiana gets the news of Lensky’s death, she grieves.
Winter Spirit Couples: Coco Alvarez-Mena, Lucia Connolly, Minjoo Kim, Nae Kojima, Anabelle de la Nuez, Basia Rhoden, Julia Rust, Natali Taht, Ao Wang, Evan Boersma, Jonathan Dole, Fernando Duarte, Reed Henry, Blake Kessler, Hyuma Kiyosawa, Zachary Manske, Wictor Hugo Pedroso, Aaron Renteria
Eugene Onegin: Victoria Jaiani and Dylan Gutierrez. Photo by Cheryl Mann
Several years later, Onegin attends a ball given by Prince Gremin (Dylan Gutierrez) where he encounters a more mature, poised Tatiana who is married to Gremin. Onegin realizes he made a mistake and confesses his love to her. Though she is moved, she chooses her husband, leaving Onegin alone.
Officers: Guillem Cabrera Espinach, Hansol Jeong, Hyuma Kiyosawa. Gremin Ballroom Couples: Lucia Connolly, Tenley Connors, Dara Holmes, Amanda Illuminati, Gayeon Jung, Minjoo Kim, Laila Madison, Lindy Mesmer, Anabelle de la Nuez, Lauren Quinn, Edson Barbosa, Jonathan Dole, Derek Drilon, Guillem Cabrera Espinach, Hansol Jeong, Blake Kessler, Hyuma Kiyosawa, Scott Reed, Aaron Renteria, Valentino Moneglia Zamora
Eugene Onegin: José Pablo Castro Cuevas and Victoria Jaiani. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
*Performing with permission of San Francisco Ballet | **Joffrey Studio Company | *** Joffrey Academy Trainee | **** Joffrey Conservatory Student | ****Joffrey Academy Pre-Professional
Please note that the dancers I’ve mentioned in this review might be different in the performance you attend. You can find the cast list for each performance at https://joffrey.org/performances-and-tickets/25-26-season/eugene-onegin/casting/
Alexander Pushkin’s classic novel in verse, Eugene Onegin, was published in 1833. His protagonist was the model for many Russian heroes.
Eugene Onegin: Victoria Jaiani. Photo by Cheryl Mann
For Eugene Onegin, choreographer Possokhov has reunited with the Anna Karenina creative team. Ilya Demutsky composed the lush musical score, while the libretto is the work of Valery Pecheykin. Set designer Tom Pye, costume designer Tim Yip, lighting designer Jim French and projection designer Finn Ross also worked on Anna Karenina.
Eugene Onegin is the first full-length co-production between The Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. The ballet had its World Premiere in San Francisco in January 2026.
Eugene Onegin: José Pablo Castro Cuevas. Photo by Cherul Mann.
Guest Conductor Martin West led the Lyric Opera Orchestra, under the direction of Principal Conductor, Scott Speck.
Eugene Onegin is performed through June 14th at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. Valet parking is available, $35. Closest self-park option is the Poetry Garage, 201 W. Madison, $13 reduced rate available at https://joffrey.org/performances-and-tickets/plan-your-visit/directions-...
Running time is two hours, 20 minutes, with an intermission. Remaining performances are Thursday, June 11th at 7:30 pm; Friday, June 12th at 7:30 pm; Saturday, June 13th at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; and Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 pm; Single tickets start at $46. FYI (312) 386-8905 or www.joffrey.org