Grand Rapids Ballet Returns to In-Person Outdoor Performances for its Summer Series
Grand Rapids Ballet, Michigan’s only professional ballet company, returns to the stage for the first time in 16 months for its Summer Series in August. The company is set to perform under the evening skies at two popular outdoor venues, the Listening Lawn at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids on August 14, and the amphitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on August 31.
Performance Program
Tap or Click for the Studio Park Program
Studio Park | August 14, 2021
Mozart Symphony (excerpt)
choreography: James Sofranko
music: W.A. Mozart, Symphony No. 31
costume design: Danielle Truss
dancers: Alexandra Meister-Upleger, Branden Reiners, Emily Reed, Nathan Young
Le Corsaire Pas De Deux
choreography: traditional
music: Ricardo Drigo
dancers: Yuko Horisawa, Josue Justiz
Brothers
choreography: Jennifer Archibald
music: Luke Howard, Sheku Kennih-Mason
costume design: Ronald Altman
dancers: Ednis Gomez, Matthew Wenckowski
Passing Through
choreography: Adriana Wagenveld
music: Arvo Part, Spiegel im Spiegel
costume concept: Adriana Wagenveld
dancers: Sarah Marley, Nathan Young
The Sweet By and By (excerpts)
choreography: James Sofranko
music: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
costume design: Danielle Truss
dancers:
Precious Lord
Alexandra Meister-Upleger with Avery Held, Sofia Striegl, Todd Lani, Claudia Rhett, Ingrid Lewis, Katie Aaberg
Down by the Riverside
Adriana Wagenveld with Steven Houser, Isaac Aoki, Branden Reiners, Ednis Gomez, Zach Manske
Amen
Steven Houser with ensemble
INTERMISSION (20 min)
Calling Forth
choreography: James Sofranko
music: J.S. Bach, Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin
violinist: Gene Hahn
costume design: Ronald Altman
video production: SALT Creative Studios
dancers:
Courante
Sarah Marley, Emily Reed, Madison Massara
Andante
Julia Turner, Nathan Young
Gigue
Alexandra Meister-Upleger, Steven Houser
Chaconne
Adriana Wagenveld, Ednis Gomez
Double
Gretchen Steimle, Branden Reiners, James Cunningham
The Old Child
choreography: Danielle Rowe
music: Alton Giovanni
costume design: Mario Alonzo
dancers: Emily Reed, Nathan Young
Give Me
choreography: Penny Saunders
music: Louis Armstrong
dancers: Ednis Gomez, Isaac Aoki
Ave Maria
choreography: James Sofranko
music: Carlos Gomes
dancers: Gretchen Steimle, Branden Reiners
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (excerpt)
choreography: Christopher Stowell
music: Felix Mendelssohn
costume design: Sandra Woodall
dancers: Yuka Oba-Muschiana, Josue Justiz
Tap or click for Frederik Meijer Gardens Program
Frederik Meijer Gardens | August 31, 2021
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy
Choreography: James Sofranko
Music: Peter Iliych Tchaikovsky
Costume design: Ronald Altman
Dancers: Yuka Oba-Muschiana, Josué Justiz
James Cunningham, Sarah Marley, Alexandra Meister Upleger, Nathan Young
Brothers
Choreography: Jennifer Archibald
Music: Luke Howard, Sheku Kennih-Mason
Costume design: Ronald Altman
Dancers: Ednis Gomez, Matthew Wencowski
Ave Maria
Choreography: James Sofranko
Music: Carlos Gomes
Dancers: Gretchen Steimle, Branden Reiners
The Old Child
Choreography: Danielle Rowe
Music: Alton Giovanni
Costume design: Mario Alonzo
Costumes courtesy of SFDanceworks
Dancers: Emily Reed, Nathan Young
Vivace
Choreography: Nicole Reehorst, Nathan Young
Music: Franz Joseph Haydn
Costume design: Ronald Altman
Dancers: Steven Houser, Sarah Marley, Julia Turner, Adriana Wagenveld
Intermission
Don Quixote Pas De Deux
Choreography: traditional after Petipa
Music: Ludwig Minkus
Dancers: Chisako Oga, Josué Justiz
Cold Virtues
Choreography: Adam Hougland
Music: Philip Glass
Costume design: Marion Williams
Costumes courtesy of Louisville Ballet
Dancers: Alexandra Meister-Upleger, James Cunningham, Emily Reed, Steven Houser
Isaac Aoki, Ednis Gomez, Ingrid Lewis, Zach Manske, Sarah Marley, Madison Massara, Branden Reiners, Gretchen Steimle, Adriana Wagenveld, Nathan Young
“I am always looking for new ways to present the art of ballet to our community and the outdoor venues at Studio Park and FMG offer a unique opportunity to experience the depth and artistry of the Grand Rapids Ballet dancers,” said James Sofranko, artistic director at Grand Rapids Ballet. “After so many months away from the stage, we are eager to return to the immediacy of live performance and dancing with a passion that is fueled by the energy in the audience.”
Sweet By and By | GRB Company Dancers | Photo by Damion Van Slyke
The Summer Series programs include a variety of classical and contemporary works, including a live-performance premiere of Jennifer Archibald’s “Brothers,” excerpts from James Sofranko’s “The Sweet By and By,” Danielle Rowe’s “The Old Child,” Penny Saunders’ “Give Me,” and ahead of its GRB premiere in April 2022, a preview of Christopher Stowell’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” among others.
The programs also will feature talented guest artists, including Gene Hahn, associate concertmaster at West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, at Studio Park, and Chisako Oga, soloist at Boston Ballet, during the Frederik Meijer Gardens performance.
Calling Forth | Gretchen Steimle and James Cunningham | Photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker
The first program will take place at Studio Park, on Aug. 14. General admission tickets are available for $25 through Studio Park, and the performance will begin at 7 p.m. The second program features a return to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for Meijer Gardens members and included in general admission for other guests.
Season subscriptions are now available for the 2021-22 season with prices as low as $139. Individual tickets will go on sale this fall. This month, the company also is set to begin offering a Virtual Season subscription for guests who wish to see GRB dancers differently or are unable to join in person. Additional program details and performance dates and times can be found at grballet.com/2122season.
Brothers | Dancers, Isaac Aoki and Nigel Tau | Photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker
Grand Rapids Ballet’s dancers are counting down the days until the beginning of the 2021|22 Season, Moving Forward. They recently appeared in a video sharing their sentiments about the upcoming season and what they have most missed about performing.
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About Grand Rapids Ballet:
Grand Rapids Ballet, Michigan’s only professional ballet company, celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2022, is committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance under experienced leadership. Grand Rapids Ballet, along with its Grand Rapids Ballet School and Junior Company continues a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support.
