Grand Kyiv Ballet's GISELLE Tour Finale to Take Place in Western Washington

The Grand Kyiv Ballet will culminate its First National US Tour back at home in the Greater Puget Sound area from April 28 – May 3. Three local Performing Arts venues will showcase the timeless ballet masterpiece, GISELLE featuring the mesmerizing talents of the Grand Kyiv Principal dancers Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoianov, both hailing from the National Opera of Ukraine.

The performances are scheduled as follows:

Sunday, April 28 at 1 pm and 7 pm - Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center

TICKETS: GISELLE - 1:00 PM - Performing Arts and Event Center (fwpaec.org)

Tuesday, April 30 at 7 pm – Edmonds Performing Arts Center

TICKETS: Giselle by Grand Kyiv Ballet - Calendar of Events | Edmonds Center for the Arts

Friday, May 3 at 7 pm - Pantages Theatre in Tacoma

TICKETS: Giselle | Tacoma City Theaters

ABOUT GISELLE:

GISELLE has stood the test of time, captivating global audiences for more than 180 years.

Recognized as one of the greatest dramatic love stories ever told, the ballet recounts the tale of Giselle and the Willis, young unmarried girls betrayed by their lovers who meet their untimely demise. Overwhelmed by sorrow and anger, they transform into the malevolent Willis, seeking retribution and settling scores.

ABOUT PRINCIPAL DANCERS KATERYNA KUKHAR AND OLEKSANDR STOIANOV

Theirs is an incredible story of resilience and inspiration. Principal Dancers Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr (Alex) Stoianov, who now call Seattle their temporary home due to the conflict in Ukraine, were continents away from their two children when the war erupted with no means of returning. They were in France, preparing for their final performance in Menton. Just prior, they had rehearsed GISELLE together, a poignant moment amidst the turmoil unfolding back home. Originally planning to return to Kyiv, their lives were upended when they received news at 5 am of the war's outbreak and bombings.

This resilient couple undertook extraordinary efforts, with the help of friends and family, and worked tirelessly to evacuate their children from Ukraine. Regrettably, not all their relatives could be relocated to a fully secure location, as Kateryna's parents bravely chose to remain in Kyiv, demonstrating unwavering strength in the face of adversity.

In the month that ensued, Alex and Kateryna helped evacuate more than 300 ballet dancers and their families from Ukraine, both students and working artists.

Alex has started four Ballet companies to bring work to many of those dancers and company members displaced from Ukraine.

In a commitment to cultural preservation, Grand Kyiv Ballet is proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds from this event will be directed towards the renovation efforts of the Kyiv State Choreographic College. By attending the performance, audiences not only bear witness to a captivating ballet but also contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this esteemed institution which has nurtured generations of exceptionally talented dancers.

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