Tag: James Sofranko

Dance Reviews, Fjord Review

The Game is On [REVIEW]

PerformanceGrand Rapids Ballet: “Diablo Rojo” by James Sofranko, “While Away“ by Jennifer Archibald, “Sherlock” by Penny Saunders PlacePeter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 24, 2025 WordsSteve Sucato for Fjord Review Move over, Matthew Bourne, there is a new voice in theatrical dance plays. Choreographer Penny Saunders’ bespoke production of “Sherlock,” performed by Grand Rapids Ballet, was not only a triumph in bringing literature’s favorite … Continue reading The Game is On [REVIEW]

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Dance International, Dance Reviews 2023

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]

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Airings, Press Releases

Grand Rapids Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues with Stowell’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Balanchine’s “Serenade”

By Steve Sucato and Jessica MeldrumMichigan’s lone professional ballet company, continues its 50th Anniversary Celebration with Christopher Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, April 22-24 and April 29-May 1 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre as well as online, May 3 as part of GRB’s 2021-2022 virtual season offerings. The production also features George Balanchine’s timeless masterwork, Serenade. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of William Shakespeare’s most … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues with Stowell’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Balanchine’s “Serenade”

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Dance Reviews 2021

Dance and Visual Art Combine Superbly in Grand Rapids Ballet’s Season Opener [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids BalletOff the CanvasDigital Stage ProductionOctober 17-31, 2021 By Steve Sucato The opening production in Grand Rapids Ballet’s 2021-2022 virtual season, Off the Canvas, was a filmed version of the triple bill presented live by the company, October 15-17 & 22 at their Peter Martin Wege Theatre. In partnership with SALT Creative Production Studio, the productions featuring the works of three contemporaries of GRB artistic … Continue reading Dance and Visual Art Combine Superbly in Grand Rapids Ballet’s Season Opener [REVIEW]

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Airings

Grand Rapids Ballet’s Adventurous Dance Season to Reflect New Norm in the Dance World

By Steve Sucato As the world gets used to the global pandemic imposed new normal, Grand Rapids Ballet is forging ahead with its new 2020-21 dance season entitled Moving Beyond and the new realities on how to deliver that season to an audience. Third-year artistic director James Sofranko says because of the pandemic Grand Rapids Ballet has had to turn away from live in-person performance … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s Adventurous Dance Season to Reflect New Norm in the Dance World

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Dance Reviews 2020

Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Virtual Program II: An Evening with Penny Saunders’ Shows the Beginnings of a Programming Way Forward |REVIEW

By Steve Sucato Welcome to dance’s new reality. The COVID-19 global pandemic has spawned many changes in our lives including how dance is being created, shown, viewed and now reviewed. It is in some ways as if the familiar dance-on-film genre had suddenly become the performance medium of choice for dancers and dancemakers to create and stage works and audiences to view it. For the … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Virtual Program II: An Evening with Penny Saunders’ Shows the Beginnings of a Programming Way Forward |REVIEW

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Airings

Grand Rapids Ballet Pushes Forward with a New Virtual Program Series

By Steve Sucato The Covid-19 Global Pandemic has taken, and continues to take a lot from all of us. But despite the financial losses and emotional hardships visited upon Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), Michigan’s lone professional ballet company, artistic director James Sofranko is optimistic with a faith of the heart that has been bolstered by the support of company’s staff and dancers as well as … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet Pushes Forward with a New Virtual Program Series

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Dance Reviews 2019

Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Extremely Close’, Extremely Good [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids Ballet – Extremely Close Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI April 12-14, 2019 Reviewed by Steve Sucato In the company’s first season under new artistic director James Sofranko, Grand Rapids Ballet appears to be continuing on the path of upward trajectory begun by former artistic director Patricia Barker now the director of The Royal New Zealand Ballet. The company’s program Extremely Close, … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Extremely Close’, Extremely Good [REVIEW]

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Airings

‘Wild Sweet Love’ to usher in Sofranko-Era at Grand Rapids Ballet

By Steve Sucato For Grand Rapids Ballet’s season opening program, the first under new artistic director James Sofranko, the company will present Wild Sweet Love, October 19-21 at GRB’s ’ Peter Martin Wege Theatre. The diverse program including ballets by George Balanchine, Trey McIntyre, GRB resident choreographer Penny Saunders and a world premiere by Sofranko has audience-pleaser written all over it. The production will also … Continue reading ‘Wild Sweet Love’ to usher in Sofranko-Era at Grand Rapids Ballet

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