In Act II of the ballet Giselle, Wilis, or young maidens that have died before their wedding day appear in a graveyard as spirits to lure men to dance until they die. Some believe this must be where the phrase "get the willies" comes from (actual origins unknown-- more on this topic in another blog). For Willy Shives this feeling is cyclical.
Nine years ago, while performing the role of Albrecht as a guest artist with the Milwaukee Ballet, Shives was asked to join the Joffrey Ballet by its co-founder and Director Emeritus, Gerald Arpino. Now, he is reprising the lead male role as the Joffrey performs Giselle for the first time. [For ticket information, see below.]
The Joffrey is marketing Giselle as “ballet’s most famous ghost story” which is apropos for late October/Halloween and the eerie mood that the Wilis set in Act II. Shives, whose career took off when he became a soloist in 1993 with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, is excited to be performing this particular ballet as part of his final season with the Joffrey.
Maia Wilkins will be dancing the title role of Giselle with Shives as her love, Albrecht. Their partnership began as soon as he joined the Joffrey and has dazzled audiences for years. (Rumor has it that they will be dancing the final performance of Giselle at the October 28th matinee.) Willy says the partnership has been "the best", aside (of course) from his on-and-off stage partnership with his wife.
In Act II, Albrecht is ordered by the Queen of the Wilis to dance until he dies. This famous scene allows Shives to showcase some of his virtuoso talents. When asked about his death sentence, Shives said it would be “best way to go”. But don't put him in his ballet grave just yet. After his official retirement at the end of this season, he is "moving fully into the Ballet Master world". Affectionately called “grandpa” by some of the members of the company, Shives wants to “give back to these young dancers”. I, for one, can't wait to see what impact his knowledge and experience will have on the company.
As a fan of Shives and Giselle, I am glad the Joffrey decided to add it to their repertory now. As one of the "white ballets" (as well as one of the most famous and most performed ballets), it is the perfect opportunity for Chicago audiences to see their company perform a classic and to see how wonderful Shives is in it.
Ticket information:
Joffrey Ballet - Giselle, Oct 17 – 28
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
www.ticketmaster.com or call 312.902.1500
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