Ghosts, moonlight and the most romantic ballet ever made: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre opens its 2026–27 season, ‘Escape Into Wonder,’ with Giselle at the Benedum Center October 23–25, 2026 — newly staged by Artistic Director Adam W. McKinney with the PBT Orchestra performing Adolphe Adam’s score live.
The cornerstone of Romantic ballet tells of a village girl betrayed in love who dies of a broken heart — and then, as one of the Wilis, the spirits of jilted brides, must dance her lover toward dawn or death. The second act’s moonlit corps de ballet, floating in white, is one of the great sights in all of theater.
Giselle plays the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street downtown, Friday through Sunday with matinees. Tickets at pbt.org — a perfect autumn night out.
