Comedy and dance blend in ‘Coppélia’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland – DC Metro Theater Arts

Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s manufacturing of Coppélia is a colourful mix of dancing and comedy. With choreography by Inventive Director Emeritus Dianna Cuatto, based mostly on Arthur Saint-Leon’s unique 1870 choreography, and music by Leo Delibes, the ballet tells the story of younger Swanhilda, engaged to the flirtatious Franz, who finds himself drawn to the mysterious Coppélia. Carried out at Maryland Corridor for the Artistic Arts and out there for live-stream viewing, it’s a fantastic method to finish the season.

Emily Carey offers a variety of feelings as Swanhilda, from worry and anger to like and curiosity. She pushes away Franz (Ryan Massey) as he flirts with different ladies, and gingerly pokes Coppélia (Olivia Fohsz) within the workshop. Pretending to be one other mechanical doll, she will be mischievous, strolling robotically earlier than “pounding” on Dr. Coppelius’s (Alexander Collen) again. She has beautiful leg extensions and spins, and her duets with Massey are lovely to observe as he lifts and dips her. Ryan Massey performs Franz with a youthful vitality, leaping throughout the stage and carrying a ladder to spy on Coppelia. His duet with Carey in Act III is filled with sleek energy.

Anne Gutcher, Sarah Jung, Lauren Martinez, Brenna Mazzara, Marjorie O’Hearne, and Karissa Kralik dance completely in unison as Swanhilda’s buddies, circling round Swanhilda and Franz, or gliding throughout the stage. Additionally they have nice comedian timing; as they tiptoe into Dr. Coppelius’s workshop, one needs to be pulled ahead. Confronted by Dr. C, they cower and switch their our bodies away earlier than sliding via his legs.

Alexander Collen performs Dr. Coppelius with an air of secrecy and slight menace. Stooped over and utilizing a cane, the Village Boys (Aaron Bauer, River Byrd, Isaac Martinez, and Michael West) carry him up and carry him earlier than he chases them off. He chases Franz across the workshop earlier than seducing him with drink.

Olivia Fohsz performs Coppélia completely, staying utterly nonetheless even with folks poking her. When she strikes, she does so mechanically. The opposite dolls (Isaac Martinez, Cassandra Hope, Michael West, Clara Molina, Hannah Hanson, Rowan Treece, and Gabriella Femia) additionally keep completely nonetheless, typically in comically tough positions. Dancing in place, they seize the totally different flavors of every dance whereas shifting mechanically.

The Mazurkas (Caroline Anderson, Carrie Cornelius, Celia Merritt, Madison Sweeney, Aaron Bauer, River Byrd, Isaac Martinez, and Michael West), led by Cindy Case, are vigorous and filled with vitality, stomping out a rhythm on the bottom. Michael West because the Lead for Struggle and Peace swings a sword across the stage, leaping and spinning.

The units and costumes, designed by Brian Walker, Calder Taylor, Meagan Helman, Alyssa Johnson-Taylor, Karen Kralik, Karissa Kralik, and Aaron Bauer, are easy however efficient. Acts I and III have two buildings on both aspect of the stage, one with an open window for Coppélia to look out on. Act II has tables, benches, and platforms for Dr. Coppelius’s workshop, with the varied dolls lined by sheets. A curtain within the again permits for hiding and a fast change. Swanhilda begins in a white peasant skirt and brown vest, later altering to a white wedding-like gown. Her buddies gown alike in pink clothes, whereas the Mazurkas put on orange clothes.

Lighting Designer Stacie Johnson-Leske makes use of lighting results to assist the temper, with Dr. C’s lab darkish and mysterious. Act III is brightly lit and cheerful. Dianna Cuatto’s choreography is filled with beautiful actions and comedian moments. The dancers are all expressive, their feelings exhibiting via their faces and steps. Earlier than the ballet begins, a narrator units the scene by dramatically studying a synopsis whereas surrounded by attentive Villagers. In Coppélia, Ballet Theatre of Maryland closes its season with a manufacturing filled with comedy and touching scenes in addition to lovely dancing and music.

Operating Time: 2 hours and quarter-hour, together with two intermissions of 10 and quarter-hour.

Coppélia performed on April 22, 2022, at 7:30 pm and April 23 at 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm introduced by Ballet Theatre of Maryland acting at Maryland Corridor for the Artistic Arts, 801 Chase Avenue, Annapolis, MD, and concurrently live-streamed.

The Coppélia program is on-line right here.