2018-2019 SEASON Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, photo by Peter Mueller courtesy Cincinnati Ballet
New season. New direction. Endless possibilities. Hello and welcome to the 2018-2019 season of Grand Rapids Ballet. My name is James Sofranko and I am thrilled to be assuming the role of artistic director this year. I hope you will join me in my inaugural season to see the programs that I have specifically chosen for this impressive company. From the neo-classic masterpiece Allegro Brilliante by George Balanchine to Extremely Close by in-demand contemporary choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo and the familiar story ballets of The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland, there is something for everyone. I am eager to maintain the tradition at Grand Rapids Ballet of presenting new works, and next season will not be an exception, with a total of four world premieres, plus new choreography created by the dancers themselves. I am excited to get into the studio with the dancers to create two of these new works crafted specifically for the company. Ballet is an art form that is sometimes associated only with tiaras and tutus, but in reality, ballet is so much more. Ballet can make you laugh, it can make you cry, it can make you think, and it can fill you with wonder. It speaks to us on a higher level, and I urge you to come have your own personal eye-opening experience at Grand Rapids Ballet. Please join me for a special opening night gala performance of our first program Wild Sweet Love on October 18, at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Thank you for supporting the arts in your community, and I look forward to seeing you at the ballet!
James Sofranko Artistic Director
Photo by Andrew Weeks
Enjoy four passion-filled works in one spectacular performance featuring: Allegro Brilliante by the father of American ballet, George Balanchine, and music by Tchaikovsky; Trey McIntyre’s fun-filled epic musing on romantic rituals, Wild Sweet Love, featuring an eclectic mix of popular music from Queen, The Partridge Family, Roberta Flack, and more; and the hauntingly alluring Ghost Light by our choreographer-in-residence, Penny Saunders. The evening will also include the first piece created specifically for Grand Rapids Ballet by new Artistic Director James Sofranko.
Wild Sweet Love
Yuka Oba in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante, photo by Isaac Aoki top right: Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, photo by Peter Mueller courtesy Cincinnati Ballet lower right: Penny Saunders’ Ghost Light, photo by Dan Wayne courtesy OwenCox Dance Group
10.18.18 7:30pm Black-tie gala! 10.19.18 7:30pm 10.20.18 7:30pm 10.21.18 2pm
presents
THE
NUTCRACKER 12.14.18 7:30pm 12.15.18 2pm & 7:30pm 12.16.18 2pm 12.21.18 7:30pm 12.22.18 2pm & 7:30pm 12.23.18 2pm
Clara’s Nutcracker Party 12.16.18 11am
It isn’t the holidays without The Nutcracker. The world-famous design of Chris Van Allsburg, Broadway-quality sets by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee, festive choreography by Val Caniparoli, and live music from Grand Rapids Symphony all come together to create pure magic. Illustration by Chris Van Allsburg; top right: photo by Tim Motley; bottom left: photo by Scott Rasmussen
MOVEMEDIA
handmade
2.8.19 7:30pm 2.9.19 7:30pm 2.10.19 2pm
Created for you by Princess Grace Award winner and our choreographer-in-residence, Penny Saunders; Joffrey Ballet’s Nicolas Blanc; and the talented dancers of Grand Rapids Ballet, our contemporary dance series returns with works from the heart and soul that show a completely different side of their unique talents. This is personal— and hands down one of the most poignant productions you’ll see from us all season. Cassidy Isaacson, photo by Scott Rasmussen top left: Penny Saunders, photo by Isaac Aoki; bottom left: Nicolas Blanc, photo by Cheryl Mann
See things from an unexpected angle with the mystical Extremely Close by Hubbard Street’s internationally renowned resident choreographer, Alejandro Cerrudo; Val Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House—a portrayal of strong female characters from Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s most well-known plays including A Doll’s House and Hedda Gabler, set to a live performance of Dvorak’s compelling Piano Quintet No. 2; and a second new piece by James Sofranko.
EXTREMELY CLOSE 4.12.19 7:30pm 4.13.19 7:30pm 4.14.19 2pm
Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, photo by Todd Rosenberg courtesy Hubbard Street Dance Chicago bottom left: Connie Flachs and Steven Houser in Val Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House, photo by Isaac Aoki
Go down the rabbit hole for the triumphant return of the dizzyingly beautiful Alice in Wonderland from choreographer Brian Enos and visual artist Luis Grané. No collaborative effort more fully captures the surrealist and symbolic possibilities of this beloved tale with such exquisite beauty and extravagant imagination.
5.3.19 7:30pm 5.4.19 7:30pm 5.5.19 2pm 5.10.19 7:30pm 5.11.19 7:30pm
“A modern masterpiece!” —Revue
Cassidy Isaacson and Levi Teachout in Brian Enos’ Alice in Wonderland, photo by Eric Bouwens middle right: Matt Wenckowski, photo by Eric Bouwens
tickets exclusively at grballet.com