Photos: Anchorage Ballet's 'Giselle'

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 9

Guest artist Bridgett Zehr as Giselle dances with fellow guest artist Oliver Speers as Albrecht during rehearsal for the Anchorage Ballet production of Giselle on Tuesday evening, March 31, 2015, in the Sydney Laurence Theatre.

"Anchorage has no idea what they'll be seeing," said Michelangelo Canale as he watched Bridgett Zehr rehearse the title role in "Giselle" earlier this week. He recounted her credentials: soloist with Houston Ballet, principal dancers with English National Ballet and National Ballet of Canada.

"She's particularly huge in Canada," Canale said. "I can't imagine what the Canadians are going to think when they hear she's in Alaska."

The upcoming "Giselle" is likewise huge for Anchorage Ballet, the dance school and company that Canale formed in 1997. It will be their first ever full-length ballet and, by far, the most ambitious thing the company has ever attempted. But it wouldn't be possible without an internationally-noted prima ballerina capable of handling the main role.

Read more: International dance stars join Anchorage Ballet's ambitious 'Giselle'