With ‘MOVEMEDIA’ Grand Rapids Ballet pushes boundaries and audience expectations

Grand Rapids Ballet MOVEMEDIA Program One Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI March 13, 2015 Reviewed by Steve Sucato For the first installment of Grand Rapids Ballet’s annual MOVEMEDIA series for the 2014-2015 dance season at their Peter Martin Wege Theatre, GRB artistic director Patricia Barker chose a mix of choreographers new to the contemporary dance series with one familiar to it and Grand … Continue reading With ‘MOVEMEDIA’ Grand Rapids Ballet pushes boundaries and audience expectations

Grand Rapids Ballet Renaissance

By Steve Sucato Underneath Grand Rapids Ballet artistic director Patricia Barker’s million-watt smile lies an unyielding determination to realize her artistic visions. So when friend Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, unexpectedly died before he could introduce her to fellow author Chris Van Allsburg (The Polar Express and Jumanji), Barker took it upon herself to visit Van Allsburg’s Massachusetts home to convince … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet Renaissance

Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘MOVEMEDIA I’ to feature new contemporary dance works by Sagi Gross, Gina Patterson and Andrew Bartee

By Steve Sucato For the fourth year running, Grand Rapids Ballet’s cutting-edge repertory series MOVEMEDIA returns to GRB’s own Peter Martin Wege Theatre. The first of two programs in the series, MOVEMEDIA I runs March 13-15 and will feature four works that stem from their choreographer’s personal experiences but also speak to universal themes of conflict, disappointment and reflection. The MOVEMEDIA series created by GRB … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘MOVEMEDIA I’ to feature new contemporary dance works by Sagi Gross, Gina Patterson and Andrew Bartee

‘Polar Express’ Author and ‘Wicked’ Designer join with Choreographer Caniparoli and Director Barker to create new ‘Nutcracker’ for Grand Rapids Ballet

By Steve Sucato When it comes to Christmas holiday season entertainment in the U.S., The Nutcracker ballet ranks high on the list. The magical tale of a young girl who dreams of a heroic handsome prince that whisks her off to a land of sweets is a favorite of children and adults alike.  So when former Pacific Northwest Ballet star Patricia Barker took over as artistic … Continue reading ‘Polar Express’ Author and ‘Wicked’ Designer join with Choreographer Caniparoli and Director Barker to create new ‘Nutcracker’ for Grand Rapids Ballet

Grand Rapids Ballet’s Contemporary ‘Midsummer’ Ballet a Glowing Success

Grand Rapids Ballet Company A Midsummer Night’s Dream Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI May 9-18, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato In keeping with Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s penchant for contemporary reinterpretations of story ballet classics that has included updated productions of Romeo & Juliet and Swan Lake, the world premiere of choreographer Olivier Wevers’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream May 9 at Grand Rapids’ Peter Martin … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s Contemporary ‘Midsummer’ Ballet a Glowing Success

Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘MoveMedia’ a Gem

Grand Rapids Ballet Company – MoveMedia Program 1 Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI March 28-30, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato It’s a unique experience for a dance writer to witness the blossoming of a dance troupe; to see its dancers and repertory evolve over time to higher levels of artistic excellence. That is what has unfolded at Grand Rapids Ballet Company since the … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘MoveMedia’ a Gem