Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre: Giselle at Toyota Oakdale Theatre

While the first night in Wallingford, Connecticut, is meant to provide a more joyful experience to spectators, this next performance may explore a completely different side. Giselle has always been looked at as one of the quintessential stories told by ballet companies. In it, the performance of the lead lady is essential to the way that the audience perceives the story. Through her motions, she must be able to convey first the joy and love that she feels upon meeting Albrecht. She must then apply the same intensity to convey her sadness. In these performances by the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, you can really feel the mood swings in the theater as the story goes along. That’s partly thanks to the performance of the amazing dancers that will be on stage. The music, the lights, and everything in between, however, also play a role in the story.

It’s truly amazing that an esteemed company like the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre from Ukraine would take on the challenge of putting on two unique shows on back-to-back nights. As mentioned, both of these are completely worth the price of admission for ballet enthusiasts. It is perhaps Giselle, though, that will be the most impactful of the two shows. The nature of the story and the dances that accompany it, although well-known in ballet circles, never cease to amaze. That’s especially the case when you have this level of performers on stage. If you’re looking for a truly emotional rendition of this classic, you have to head to the Toyota Oakdale Theater on October 10th.

Sitting within the Orchestra section next to the stage is usually the best spot at the Toyota Oakdale Theater. However, when it comes to these ballet shows, witnessing them from a balcony or a box on the second level may be more fitting. As a viewer, you appreciate the entire stage better. With so many dancers under the spotlight at any given time in a show like Giselle, that may be a much better perspective. These are ideas that you may want to consider before clicking the get tickets button and picking your seats!