Alexei Ratmansky first won the world’s notice when he ran the Bolshoi Ballet, in Moscow. He was then poached by the American Ballet Theatre, in New York, and recently jumped to the New York City Ballet. Ratmansky is a Ukrainian citizen. Which is why he has also been working with the United Ukrainian Ballet. Scattered by Russia’s vicious invasion of Ukraine, the dancers who formed this company have been touring the world. Now they come to Costa Mesa, where they will perform Ratmansky’s new interpretation of Giselle. “We’ve chosen Giselle,” Ratmansky says, “because it’s one of the greatest ballets ever. It’s a classic—but it’s not a Russian classic.” As he’s done with other touchstone works, Ratmansky has removed some of the ballet’s modern tropes in an attempt to bring it closer to the 1841 original. “It’s historically informed. We’re using notations from the 19th century.” That means changes in the score, the choreography, and the mise en scène. These performances are presented in collaboration with Liev Schreiber and his non-profit organization, BlueCheck Ukraine. Underwriting support from Elizabeth Segerstrom and the Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation allows proceeds from ticket sales to benefit BlueCheck. —Laura Jacobs