Update: Auditorium Theatre’s 2023-24 season: Dance notables but a cancellation for Malkovich

Update: According to an announcement June 2, “The Infernal Comedy” has been canceled due to an artist scheduling conflict.

The Auditorium Theatre on Tuesday announced its 2023-24 lineup, a subscription season opening in November with a performance from Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and next January including a joint production with Steppenwolf Theatre Company for a concert-style performance starring John Malkovich.

Although upcoming 2023 events also include add-on dance performances such as Dance for Life in August, it’s shaping up to be a quieter-than-normal autumn for the landmark Auditorium Theatre at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Single tickets for all shows go on sale at a later date. Subscriptions are on sale from noon Tuesday at 312-341-2300 and auditoriumtheatre.org.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m., tickets $25-$75): Deeply Rooted revamps contemporary dance by combining modern, classical, American and African American traditions in dance and storytelling. In mid-April, the company announced its current leadership, with Nicole Clarke-Springer as artistic director since fall 2019, and Makeda Crayton as new executive director, making Deeply Rooted one of Chicago’s few major dance companies led by two Black women. In November, Sam Thousand and his musicians and singers join the company for a performance that reflects contemporary voices and aims to elicit an emotional reaction.

Terence Blanchard: Film Scores LIVE! (Jan. 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.; tickets $44.50-$134.50): For music and film fans, this live multimedia performance will focus on the relationship between filmmaker Spike Lee and trumpeter Terence Blanchard, whose scores have accompanied Lee’s movies from “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X” to “Da 5 Bloods.” The Chicago Philharmonic will perform as images from Lee’s films are projected.

John Malkovich starring in “The Infernal Comedy” (Jan. 26, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 27, 2024, at 2 p.m.; tickets $25-$225): Presented with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Malkovich (now credited as an ensemble member emeritus) will portray Austrian serial killer turned writer Jack Unterweger. Two singers, accompanied by the Orchester Wiener Akademie, will perform live opera arias by Mozart, Vivaldi, Haydn and others, providing a soundtrack for Unterweger’s disturbing confessions.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet (Feb. 3, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., tickets $30-$120): Choreographed by founder Dwight Rhoden, Complexions’ “STAR DUST: From Bach to Bowie” focuses on the two music icons. Hissy Fits features pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, while Star Dust’s soundtrack features David Bowie classics, including “Young Americans,” “Heroes” and “Space Oddity.”

Compañía Nacional de Danza (Feb. 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., tickets range from $40-$135): This Madrid-based company that covers classical, neoclassical and contemporary dance is making its Auditorium debut with a performance of “Passengers Within.” The work, by artistic director Joaquín De Luz, is set to music by Philip Glass. The program also includes “Sad Case” and “White Darkness.”

Trinity Irish Dance Company (March 3, 2024, at 3 p.m.; tickets range from $25-$75): Just before St. Patrick’s Day, Trinity will take to the stage with its contemporary Irish dance-style performance. The mixed rep program includes a world premiere by Mark Howard, Trinity’s founding artistic director/choreographer, and Chelsea Hoy, associate artistic director and a longtime company member.

MOMIX (March 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., tickets $30-$120): This company of dancer-illusionists returns with a family-friendly production of founder Moses Pendleton’s “ALICE,” inspired by the classic Lewis Carroll story “Alice in Wonderland.”

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (April 17-21, 2024, tickets $40-$135): Marking its 55th engagement at the Auditorium, the New York-based dance company returns for six performances of beloved classics, including “Revelations,” and new works.

South Chicago Dance Theatre (April 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., tickets $25-$75): This rising local dance company will perform a mixed rep program featuring new collaborations with esteemed and fresh choreographers.

Additional dance offerings

Dance for Life 2023 (Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.; tickets $25-$125): Chicago Dancers United’s annual performance and benefit event will feature various Chicago dance companies. Proceeds go to The Dancers’ Fund, which supports the health care and medical needs of local dance professionals.

Arpino Chicago Centennial Celebration (Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.; tickets $45-$125): This event by the Gerald Arpino Foundation honors Gerald Arpino, choreographer and co-founder/director of The Joffrey Ballet. Ballet companies from across the U.S. will perform Arpino’s work, including American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Eugene Ballet and, of course, the Joffrey Ballet.

Sugar Hill: The Ellington / Strayhorn Nutcracker (Dec. 19-30, tickets $44-$150): This classic Christmas story gets a re-imagining with jazz music and a Black heroine. The show is making its Chicago debut.