Frankenstein

Performance Details

  • When October 12-22, 2023
  • Where Lyric Opera House
  • Choreography Liam Scarlett
  • music Lowell Liebermann
  • Runtime 2 Hours 42 Minutes, 2 Intermissions
  • Costume and Scenic Design John Macfarlane

The critically acclaimed adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece, 'Frankenstein', is a visceral, profoundly emotional tale of life, death, love, and identity. Set to Liebermann’s original sweeping score and immersed within the stunning stage design by world-renowned artist John Macfarlane, this must-see Chicago premiere is one of the most innovative works of ballet today.

Frankenstein takes the audience on a captivating journey through scientist Victor Frankenstein’s ambitious plan to animate a patchwork of lifeless body parts, setting in motion a detrimental chain of fateful events. Scarlett’s 19th century and dawn of modern science production retains the essential nature of Shelley’s novel while transforming previous notions of horror into an allegory of the human condition.

Content Advisory: This production of Frankenstein includes strobe lights, sound effects, and pyrotechnics. 

Program Book

Read the program book ahead of your performance - complete with synopsis, company artist roster, artistic and production team biographies, and more.

Casting

See casting information for 'Frankenstein'.

Meet the Artists

We invite you to our Meet the Artists event taking place in the Lyric Opera House one hour before the performance. Simply present your ticket to the usher to gain free admittance.

The Story of Liam Scarlett's 'Frankenstein'

Read the synopsis of 'Frankenstein'.

Meet the Creative Team

Choreographer Liam Scarlett

Born in Ipswich, he trained at the Linda Shipton School of Dancing and then The Royal Ballet School before graduating to The Royal Ballet in 2005. He was promoted to First Artist in 2008. In 2012 he retired from dancing and was appointed Artist in Residence with The Royal Ballet.

Composer Lowell Liebermann

Lowell Liebermann is one of America’s most frequently performed and recorded composers. Orchestras worldwide have played Liebermann's works, as have distinguished artists including Steven Isserlis, Garrick Ohlsson, Susan Graham, Charles Dutoit, James Levine, Msistislav Rostropovich and many others.

Costume and Set Designer John Macfarlane

Was born in Scotland and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. For the first fifteen years of his career, he worked mainly in dance with many of the major international companies. He has also designed for the classical ballet repertoire.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship

Producing Sponsor

  • Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Presenting Sponsor

  • Anne L. Kaplan

Production Sponsor

  • Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Costume Sponsor

  • Jane Ellen Murray Foundation