United Ukrainian Ballet brings ‘Giselle’ to Southern California with a purpose

“Giselle,” a ballet classic danced thousands of times since the mid-19th century, is a highly romanticized, two-act tragedy about love and betrayal.

Until now, though, it has not been performed as a vehicle for political defiance and social determination.

In stagings by the fledgling United Ukraine Ballet, coming this week to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, the work has become a showcase for artistic talent under duress.

While the dancers — largely refugees from their invaded country — will be in Southern California, their hearts and minds will be rooted in an unjust war raging 6,000 miles to the east.

Proceeds from the event — presented by Elizabeth Segerstrom and the Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation — will go to BlueCheck Ukraine, an aid foundation co-founded by actor Liev Schreiber, which generates funds to support organizations providing on-the-ground assistance in Ukraine.

Christine Shevchenko is performing the title role on opening night at Segerstrom Hall.

A principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Shevchenko debuted the work in United Ukraine Ballet’s London and Washington D.C. appearances.

Her ties to the Ukrainian company are born of both birthright and conviction.

From the atmospheric Ukrainian southern seaport city of Odessa, her parents relocated to the United States in the 1990s when she was about to turn 7 years old.

Shevchenko grew up and lived a thoroughly Americanized existence in Pennsylvania, occasionally visiting family and friends in Ukraine. Today her ties to her homeland reflect the social trauma of the past year of war.

“I have never been a political person,” Shevchenko says. “I enjoyed my arts world, where I can try to bring people happiness through what I do.”

That perception of her world was instantly transformed, if not shattered, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

“It just made me mad … no, makes me mad!” she says.

“My uncle and his family are still there, and my mom especially has so many friends and some of them had to move from more dangerous areas,” she says. “I have a friend who is a ballroom dancer, and her family had no heat, no water, limited food …”

Shevchenko pauses, trying to reconcile all the events of the “horrible” year-plus since the war started in February 2022.

“It’s still difficult to believe since Ukrainians and Russians had always seemed to me as one. Like, I understand Ukrainian, but I speak better Russian. My whole family is from Ukraine, but I also received wonderful training from amazing coaches in Russia.”

The line of separation, however, has taken precedence.

“It’s been heartbreaking, but I was instantly invested: ‘You’re involved in this!’ “

Shevchenko became involved with the United Ukrainian Ballet company last summer.

World-class choreographer Alexei Ratmansky reached out to her about guesting in a new version of “Giselle” he made and gave to the newly formed troupe.

Organized in 2022 in the Netherlands by Dutch dancer Igone de Jongh, United Ukraine Ballet brought together dancers who were outside Ukraine at the war’s outset and other artists given permission by the Ukrainian government to travel from the besieged nation and be part of this venture.

The company’s purpose, as Ratmansky told the New York Times early this year, is to “demonstrate that Ukrainians are fighting on all fields including cultural.”

Heading into this Orange County appearance, Ratmansky outlined the stark backdrop for the company which he is actively involved with as an adviser.

“Many Ukrainian artists — dancers, musicians, actors, writers — took up arms to defend their land. Many were killed by the Russians and died heroes. Others continue performing or creating in Ukraine or abroad.”

Ratmansky, whose own heritage is a mix — “my mother is Russian, my father is Jewish from Kyiv” — feels this is a stand that needed to be translated into action.

“Ukrainians are very proud of their culture that was in the shadow of Russian culture for too long,” he says. “Not only in the shadow and suppressed, but also appropriated or canceled.”

Ratmansky, who recently joined New York City Ballet as an artist in residence, is routinely considered as the contemporary ballet world’s most prolific, significant creator of new dance.

In addition to generating an impressive body of original works, he restaged and revitalized for ABT some of the classic story ballets including the “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Firebird,” and “The Nutcracker.”

In approaching “Giselle” Ratmansky went back to the work’s earliest notational sources, bringing back some of the original music that over time had been cut and, significantly, fashioning a more hopeful ending.

Shevchenko was 19 when she first encountered Ratmansky at ABT. She has since been in seven of his ballets and the opportunity to work with him is something she eagerly undertakes.

Describing Ratmansky’s presence in rehearsal, Shevchenko says, “it’s, like, as soon as he steps into the studio, you have to bring your A-game all the time.

“He does not go easy on you,” she says with a laugh, “but it’s also really exciting. He makes you dance so much bigger and with way more energy.”

“I truly believe he made me better than I could have been if he wasn’t here.”

Shevchenko is quite familiar with “Giselle,” saying it’s probably the full-length ballet she has done most often, including ABT’s traditional version, which she will appear in this summer in New York.

Asked how dancing the Ratmansky version is different, she speaks to his pursuit of naturalism in movement.

“It’s got to feel real, not so posed. He wants you to be more like how a normal person would stand or move.”

In addition to being familiar with Ratmansky and “Giselle,” Shevchenko feels quite at ease in Orange County, having appeared at Segerstrom Hall for several seasons in ABT’s annual Christmas staging of “The Nutcracker” and its spring repertoire.

“Next to New York, I’ve probably danced here more often than any other place,” she says. “I have a list now of my favorite coffee shops and favorite places to go.”

Being in front of dance fans in Orange County dance is an agreeable experience for Shevchenko.

“People here really clap a lot! And the energy from the crowd, it really helps you do your best on stage.”

She hopes audiences here take away a heightened appreciation for her fellow artists in the company.

“I think it is important people remember these dancers are displaced,” Shevchenko says. “Their homes are gone yet they’re here to show they are resilient and strong and that they will continue to represent and fight for their culture.

“I feel so proud and so happy to be here to work with them and to be able to support them.”

United Ukrainian Ballet Ratmansky’s ‘Giselle’

What: United Ukraine Ballet, accompanied by the Pacific Symphony, conducted by Gavriel (JEFF: CQ) Heine.

When: Thursday-Sunday, June 29-July 2.  7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

Tickets: $29-$89

Information: 949-556-2787; www.scfta.org