Fresh Cinderella Ballet Opens in Grand Junction This Week

Colorado West Ballet is breathing new life into a beloved fairy tale with a completely reimagined production of Cinderella, opening this weekend in Grand Junction with a twist that promises both elegance and laughter. The spring tour marks a significant milestone for the company as it introduces fresh choreography across the Western Slope.

Brand New Choreography Takes Center Stage

Choreographer Angie DeWolf has crafted an entirely new vision for the classic story, making her debut with this ballet after moving to Grand Junction from Boston in August 2024. Her approach blends traditional ballet technique with unexpected moments of slapstick comedy, creating a production unlike any previous version.

This marks DeWolf’s first time choreographing Cinderella, bringing a completely fresh perspective to the timeless tale. The production stands apart from typical ballet performances by incorporating humor throughout the dance sequences, making it accessible to audiences who might find traditional ballet intimidating.

“It’s all brand new for everybody, and Cinderella’s a funny, more comical ballet,” DeWolf explained. “In terms of like kind of slapstick comedy, that’s something I have never choreographed this ballet before.”

$A viral, hyper-realistic YouTube thumbnail with a fairytale ballet atmosphere. The background is a grand theater stage with royal purple velvet curtains, golden spotlights creating dramatic beams through stage fog, and a glowing glass slipper on marble steps as the centerpiece. The composition uses a low angle shot to focus on the main subject: an ornate glass slipper catching prismatic light with ballet pointe shoes crossed behind it. Image size should be 3:2. The image features massive 3D typography with strict hierarchy: The Primary Text reads exactly: 'CINDERELLA'. This text is massive, the largest element in the frame, rendered in crystalline glass material with internal light refraction to look like a high-budget 3D render. The Secondary Text reads exactly: 'GRAND JUNCTION'. This text is significantly smaller, positioned below the main text. It features a thick, distinct royal gold border with purple outline (sticker style) to contrast against the background. Make sure text 2 is always different theme, style, effect and border compared to text 1. The text materials correspond to the story's fairytale ballet concept. Crucial Instruction: There is absolutely NO other text, numbers, watermarks, or subtitles in this image other than these two specific lines. 8k, Unreal Engine 5, cinematic render.$

Dancers From Across the Country Unite

The production features an ensemble of talented dancers who have relocated to Grand Junction from various parts of the country. DeWolf praised the collaborative spirit of the team, noting that working with such diverse talent has been extremely rewarding.

The company uses a rotating cast system, with two different groups of dancers alternating performances. Katherine Grace-Shamburek returns to portray Cinderella in Cast B, reprising a role she first performed four years ago. However, the new choreography means she is essentially learning the character from scratch.

“Anyone who has seen Cinderella anywhere else as a ballet or even saw our Cinderella last time is in for a treat because it’s all new,” Grace-Shamburek said.

For the returning dancer, the challenge of bringing the beloved character to life within entirely different movement patterns has kept the experience engaging and fresh. She emphasized that figuring out how to portray Cinderella through new choreography presents an interesting creative puzzle that tests her artistic abilities.

Perfect Introduction to Live Ballet

Both DeWolf and Grace-Shamburek believe this production serves as an ideal entry point for audiences unfamiliar with ballet or live theater. The combination of a recognizable story, comedic elements, and sophisticated dance makes it approachable yet impressive.

Grace-Shamburek highlighted what makes live performance irreplaceable in an age of streaming entertainment. “Any sort of live theater or live art is so special because it’s an experience that the performers and the audience get to share one time only,” she noted. “You’re experiencing something no one else can ever experience at a different time.”

The magic of ballet lies in its ephemeral nature, with each performance creating a unique moment shared between dancers and audience.

Western Slope Tour Schedule

The dancers already performed in Telluride on March 28, launching the spring tour. Grand Junction audiences can catch the production at the Asteria Theatre with three opportunities this weekend.

Grand Junction Performances:

Friday, April 4 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 5 at 2:00 PM
Sunday, April 6 at 2:00 PM (if applicable based on venue schedule)

The tour concludes in Montrose with performances at the Montrose Pavilion on Friday, April 11 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 PM.

Tickets are available through the Colorado West Ballet website, with pricing varying by performance date and seating location. The company encourages early ticket purchases as weekend performances typically sell out quickly.

As Colorado West Ballet continues to establish itself as a cultural cornerstone of the Western Slope, this Cinderella production demonstrates the region’s growing appetite for professional performing arts. The combination of fresh artistic vision, talented dancers, and a story that resonates across generations creates an experience that celebrates both tradition and innovation.

Whether you are a longtime ballet enthusiast or someone who has never attended a live performance, this new take on Cinderella offers something special. Share your thoughts after experiencing the show and let others know what made this production memorable for you.