UW to Present Comic Ballet, "Coppelia"

Nov. 30, 2004 -- The University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance will present the comic ballet "Coppelia" Dec. 7-12 on the Fine Arts Center main stage.

The ballet runs Dec. 7, 8, 9, and 11 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at 3 p.m., and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $13 for adults, $11 for senior citizens, and $6 for students. For ticket information or to purchase, call the ticket office at (307) 766-6666, stop by the Fine Arts box office (10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays), or visit www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

Like "Nutcracker," Coppelia is based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, with music by Leo Delibes. This full-length production includes choreography by Marsha Fay Knight, costume design by Lee Hodgson, scenic design by Karl Brake, and lighting design by Larry Hazlett.

"Coppelia" is a delightful story of love and intrigue set in the town square of a quaint Polish village. The soon-to-be-wed Swanhilda lives on one side of the village square, while on the other lives the mysterious Dr. Coppelius, a toymaker who is thought to have magical gifts. The ballet hinges on Swanhilda's mistaken belief that the toymaker's life-sized mechanical doll, Coppelia, is actually a beautiful girl who has eyes for Swanhilda's sweetheart, Franz.

Written and produced at the height of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870s Paris, "Coppelia" was groundbreaking for its time, being one of the first ballets to incorporate comedy, traditional national dances, and pantomime. It has since become one of the great classic ballets, enjoying numerous revivals.

Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004