American Ballet Theatre (ABT) returns to Chicago as an Auditorium Theatre Visiting Resident Company as it celebrates its 80th anniversary! Experience works from throughout the company’s history, from its inception in 1940 to today, that showcase the best in classic and contemporary ballet and highlight the company dancers’ incredible versatility as they move between dance styles. Antony Tudor’s Jardin aux Lilas, considered a “masterwork of contemporary ballet” (The New York Times), was premiered in the company’s first-ever season in 1940. The beautiful and renowned “Kingdom of the Shades” scene from Marius Petipa’s La Bayadère was restaged by company dancer and choreographer Natalia Makarova and added to ABT’s repertory in 1980 during the company’s 40th anniversary season. Twyla Tharp’s electrifying Deuce Coupe was first performed by ABT in 2019 and will have its Chicago company premiere at this Auditorium engagement. Orchestra Center, Row G!