Mean Spirit

There’s something magical about the mix of lavish costumes, scenery, and live music that can only be found at the ballet. But if you’re thinking a two-hour performance of girls in tutus dancing on tiptoe isn’t for you, this story of love and death and lady-spirits scorned might take you by surprise.

To kick off the season Ballet Arizona will present the classic romantic ballet Giselle, the heart breaking and haunting story of a peasant girl who (spoiler alert) dies after learning her love is engaged to someone else. In death she joins the ranks of the Willis, ghost-like women who seek revenge for their broken hearts by forcing wrong-doers to dance until they die.

Thu., Nov. 1, 7 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 3, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 4, 1 & 5:30 p.m., 2012