Photo by Peter Mueller courtesy Cincinnati Ballet

2018-19 Grand Rapids Ballet Season Announcement

We hope you’re as excited as we are about our amazing new season! Without further ado, here we go…

WILD SWEET LOVE

Photo of company dancer Yuka Oba in Allegro Brillante by Isaac Aoki

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. And you won’t want to miss the black-tie gala on Thursday, October 18, welcoming James to Grand Rapids!

Photo of Ghost Light by Dane Wayne courtesy OwenCox Dance Group

Photo of Wild Sweet Love by Peter Mueller courtesy Cincinnati Ballet

THE  NUTCRACKER

Illustration by Chris Van Allsburg

It isn’t the holidays in West Michigan 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 the live music by your Grand Rapids Symphony all come together to create pure magic you and your family will remember for a lifetime! Clara’s Nutcracker Party will take place on Sunday, December 18 at 11am at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, too.

Photo by Tim Motley

Photo by Scott Rasmussen

MOVEMEDIA: HANDMADE

Photo of company dancer Cassidy Isaacson by Scott Rasmussen

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.

EXTREMELY CLOSE

Photo by Todd Rosenberg courtesy Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

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.

Photo of company dancer Connie Flachs in Ibsen’s House by Isaac Aoki

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Photo of company dancers Cassidy Isaacson and Levi Teachout by Eric Bouwens

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. Revue Magazine called it “A modern masterpiece!”

So there it is: A season filled with classics and new works that you won’t want to miss. Single ticket sales start Monday, June 18 so stay tuned for more details!