So long ‘Shrew’, hello ‘Widow’

The Chicago debut of “The Merry Widow,” a full-length ballet created in 1975 for the Australian Ballet by Ronald Hynd of Britain’s Royal Ballet, will replace the revival of John Cranko’s “The Taming of the Shrew” on the Joffrey Ballet’s 2010-11 schedule at the Auditorium Theatre.

Set to John Lanchbery’s adaptation of the 1905 romantic operetta score by Franz Lehar and using lush sets and costumes by Italian designer Roberta Guidi Di Bagno (on loan from the Houston Ballet), “The Merry Widow” will run Feb. 16-27.

“This ballet is glorious fun,” said Joffrey artistic director Ashley Wheater, “and we are so lucky that Ronald Hynd, who turns 80 next year, is coming to work with the company in Chicago for a full month.”

“Shrew” will be revived at a future date.