Grand Rapids’ Romeo & Juliet: James Sofranko’s first full-length story ballet [REVIEW]

By Steve Sucato for Dance International Magazine The crown jewel in Grand Rapids Ballet’s 50th anniversary season, artistic director James Sofranko’s Romeo and Juliet, was decidedly a traditional classical ballet take on Shakespeare’s famous tale. The three-act production plus epilogue, the first full-length story ballet the former San Francisco Ballet soloist has choreographed, premiered on February 17 at home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the DeVos Performance Hall.  … Continue reading Grand Rapids’ Romeo & Juliet: James Sofranko’s first full-length story ballet [REVIEW]

LINES Ballet’s Deep River Plumbs the Depths of Humanity’s Relationship with Darkness and Light [REVIEW]

Alonzo King LINES Ballet – Deep RiverMimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse SquareCleveland, OhioMarch 11, 2023 By Steve Sucato Physical beauty intertwined with the spiritual in Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s Deep River this past Saturday night at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square. Choreographed by company Artistic Director Alonzo King in 2022 for the San Francisco-based contemporary dance company’s 40th anniversary season, Deep River was … Continue reading LINES Ballet’s Deep River Plumbs the Depths of Humanity’s Relationship with Darkness and Light [REVIEW]

Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Schubert Melodies,’ a Splendid Mix of Music and Dance [REVIEW]

Verb, Ohio Contemporary BalletSchubert MelodiesBreen Center for the Performing ArtsCleveland, OHOctober 15, 2022 By Steve Sucato Newly renamed Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet returned to Saint Ignatius High School’s Breen Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 15 with Schubert Melodies, a double bill of ballets celebrating Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s music. The program began with a reprise of Heinz Poll’s 1975 ballet “Schubert Waltzes.” Danced to … Continue reading Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Schubert Melodies,’ a Splendid Mix of Music and Dance [REVIEW]