Coppélia & the Toymaker
The Alabama Ballet, the state’s premiere professional dance company, will present Coppélia and the Toymaker April 8-10 at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater on the campus of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. The storybook ballet follows the playful romance between Swanilde and Franz, and their relationship with an eccentric toymaker and his lifelike doll, Coppélia. It is so lifelike that Franz, a village youth, becomes infatuated with it and sets aside his true heart’s desire, Swanhilde. She shows him his folly by dressing as the doll, pretending to make it come to life. Set to an uplifting score, Coppélia is a delightful ballet that was originally performed in 1870 at the Opera in Paris. Coppélia, due to its dazzling sets, elaborate costumes, and joyously funny script quickly became a favorite among groups of all ages. According to Artistic Director Tracey Alvey the ballet is “great fun to dance and perform and even more fun to watch.” See Calendar page 28 for details on show times and tickets, visit www.alabamaballet.org.
