Park City dance company BalletNext reimagines “Giselle” as a gothic ballet called “Behind the Veil,” with performances Oct. 20 in Salt Lake City and Oct. 28 in Park City.

Both begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday’s performance takes place at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center’s Leona Wagner Black Box. The Wednesday, Oct. 28, performance will be held at artistic director Michele Wiles’ home studio.

The official venue listing describes a production combining classical ballet, contemporary movement and music by Marilyn Manson, Madonna and Mozart.

Wiles, a former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer who founded BalletNext in 2011, performs as Giselle.

“We got darker with this one,” Wiles told the Park Record.

The production replaces Adolphe Adam’s original score with selections spanning rock, pop and classical music. It opens with Manson’s version of “This Is Halloween” and closes with Michael Jackson’s “Scream.” Evanescence and Korn also appear in the soundtrack.

Wiles described goth and steampunk costumes, including long trains and black leather cuffs. The sound design incorporates bell gongs from “Hellraiser.”

The classic ballet follows a young woman who dies after discovering her lover’s deception. She joins the Wilis, supernatural spirits of betrayed women, but protects Albrecht from their vengeance.

Wiles told the Park Record that her interpretation emphasizes Giselle’s decision to love despite the risk, framing the story around transformation and finding one’s voice.

Matthew Helms, BalletNext’s principal dancer and ballet master, performs as Albrecht. Guest artist Bashaun Williams dances Hilarion, and Sienna Hopper of Washington’s Olympic Ballet Theatre performs as Myrtha, queen of the Wilis. Preprofessional dancers complete the ensemble.

Wiles has previously reworked “Swan Lake” as “Beyond the Swan” and “The Nutcracker” as “Unwrapped.”

Performance details

  • Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m.: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. Broadway, Salt Lake City. Tickets and details. The venue lists a 50-minute performance without intermission, followed by an artist Q&A.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Michele Wiles’ home studio, Park City. Tickets and location details. Doors open at 6 p.m.; an artist Q&A follows the performance.

More information is available at balletnext.org.