Brigham Young University’s Theatre Ballet will bring a dancing doll to life in its production of the classic ballet “Coppélia,” Thursday through Saturday, March 1-3, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall in the Harris Fine Arts Center.
There will also be a matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-7664 or online at artix.byu.edu. Admission is $10.
Coppélia, an extremely lifelike dancing doll, is the creation of a French inventor named Doctor Coppélius. The doll is so lifelike, in fact, that a local young man named Franz falls for the doll, leaving his love, Swanilda, behind. While complications ensue, a happy ending is inevitable in this charming story.
The music is by Delibes, and the traditional “Coppélia” choreography has been re-staged by ballet faculty member Karyn Rosborough Willis. Exciting new choreography by Theatre Ballet artistic director Jan Dijkwel and ballet faculty member Janalyn Memmott will add a new dimension to the show. The sets were designed by Benjamin Sanders and Mark Ohran.
Ashley Ivory, a former dancer with San Francisco Ballet, will perform the part of Swanilda. In the evening performances, she will be partnered by Roman Avramenko, who danced with the National Opera of Ukraine. In the Saturday matinee, Traci Finch will perform Swanilda partnered by Joshua Murry as Franz. Ivory and Finch will alternately portray the doll in a segment of the story when Coppélius believes Coppélia has come to life.
“It’s a privilege to have Ashley dancing at BYU. She could dance wherever she wants,” said Dijkwel. “Roman brings an international flavor to his dancing. Traci is lovely, has strong technique, and, like Joshua, is an incredibly hard worker. They are all very good.”
For more information, contact Lynne Thompson at (801) 225-1775, or at lynne@balletutah.com.
