Pacific Northwest Ballet Giselle Review
April 24, 2026 | Digital
Reaffirming its classical chops, Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) dazzled in Giselle, a romantic, drama-filled tale pushing 185 years old.
PNB’s production – lifted from the 1841 original – is beautifully crafted, grounded in the interplay between Jérōme Kaplan’s richly detailed scenic and costume designs and Randall Chiarelli’s true-to-life lighting that make Giselle’s village come alive.
The PNB Orchestra’s full-bodied rendition of Adolphe Adam’s score was the silken bow on top.
But the real merit of this production was its dancers.
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Pacific Northwest Ballet Giselle Review
Elizabeth Murphy stepped into the titular role with ease. Right from the start, Murphy establishes her character as a young girl in love, glowing with pure warmth and sweetness. Her Act I dancing was light, sweeping, and technically precise. When she reappears as a ghost, she remains the latter two, but her dancing has become weighted by an emotional gravity – as if the the air around her were heavy with sighs.
Christopher D’Ariano managed to make his Albert feel like a real person. His portrayal was genuinely loving, begging sympathy for a notoriously duplicitous character. With polished lines and mighty ballon, his dancing was near as perfect as you can get.
Leading the eerie sisterhood of Wilis, Melissa Guilliams was an excellent Myrtha. While less overtly menacing than coolly detached, her authority was unquestioned.
Rounding out the cast, Clara Ruf Maldonado and Kuu Sakuagi delivered a fine act I peasant pas de deux. While as a pair they were not always fully in sync, both showed themselves as stars in the making. He brought a seemingly boundless energy to the stage, while she impressed with poise and quick, crystalline footwork.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Giselle was both well-danced and characterful, a welcome reminder of what its artists can do.
Featured Photo of Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Christopher D’Ariano and Elizabeth Murphy as Albert and Giselle in Peter Boal’s production of Giselle. Photo © Angela Sterling.
