Giselle Dances into the Shadows for the State Ballet’s 65th Season

What begins in a sun-drenched vineyard ends in a moonlit graveyard – and somehow, it’s absolutely breathtaking. This May, the State Ballet of Rhode Island (SBRI) brings the romantic tragedy Giselle back to the stage for its 65th performing season, offering audiences a sweeping tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness that transcends the grave.

Taking the stage at Sapinsley Hall at Rhode Island College on May 22 and 23 at 7pm, Giselle unfolds across two dramatically different acts. Act 1 waltzes through a cheerful German village during harvest season – think grape stomping, laughter, and just a dash of forbidden romance. Then Act 2 slips into a moonlit graveyard, where the supernatural reigns and the Wilis, ghostly women scorned in love, take center stage.

In a poetic nod to the ballet’s eerie second act, the company shot its promotional photos among the headstones at Lincoln Woods Cemetery. The result? A haunting visual that ties Rhode Island’s local history to Giselle’s otherworldly allure. “In Rhode Island, the State Ballet is making history,” says Executive Director Ana Marsden Fox. “And we’re thrilled to tell this deeply emotional story in a way that’s rooted in place and legacy.”

The plot? A village girl falls head over heels for a mysterious stranger – who turns out to be a nobleman in disguise. When his true identity (and his very real fiancée) comes to light, heartbreak follows. Act 2 enters the afterlife, with Giselle transformed into one of the Wilis, spirits who dance their unfaithful lovers to death. But in a breathtaking act of love and grace, Giselle breaks the cycle and saves the man who betrayed her.

With sweeping choreography, dreamy costumes, and a story that still tugs at the heartstrings, Giselle remains a shining jewel in SBRI’s crown. As the company celebrates 65 years of storytelling through dance, this production honors the passion, artistry, and legacy behind Rhode Island’s oldest ballet company. For tickets and more info, visit StateBallet.com.