(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- On Friday, October 19 at 8:00pm, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) presents the timeless classic ballet, Coppélia, at the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.
“We are excited to be bringing Coppélia to the State Theater stage this fall,” says Artistic Director Douglas Martin. “One of the few comedic ballets in the classical ballet repertoire, Coppélia is the perfect story ballet for all audiences.”
Coppélia - In this piece, brilliant classical dance meets a delightfully comic narrative. The three-act ballet tells the light-hearted story of how Franz, a village boy engaged to Swanhilda, becomes infatuated with a life-like doll created by the eccentric inventor, Dr. Coppelius. Hilarity ensues over love and mistaken identity.
Originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon, Coppélia premiered in Paris in 1870. Saint-Léon's interest in folk dancing figures prominently in the ballet, and is also reflected in the lush symphonic music by French composer Léo Delibes. With its tuneful and romantic music, Coppélia stands alongside such classics as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker as the best-loved and most enduring ballets of all time.
Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, Coppélia introduced automatons, dolls and marionettes to ballet productions. Because of its success with audiences, ballets like Nutcracker followed suit with dolls and toys that come to life. Coincidentally,Nutcracker is also based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman.
A delightful evening of ballet fun for families and children of all ages, The New York Times calls Coppélia “one of the happiest ballets in existence.”
Tickets start at $35. To order, visit stnj.org or call 732.246.7469. For more information, arballet.org
Related Event
Friday, October 5 @ 5:15 p.m. -- Coppélia On Pointe - American Repertory Ballet (ARB) will host a sneak peak of Coppélia as part of its FREE On Pointe program on Friday, October 5 at 5:15 p.m.
ARB launched On Pointe in 2010 as part of the organization’s larger strategy to make ballet more accessible to the community. On Pointe allows audiences to interact with acclaimed artists and ARB collaborators in an intimate setting at their Princeton studio location - 301 North Harrison Street (above McCaffrey's Supermarket)
American Repertory Ballet’s mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs. The organization comprises: the preeminent professional classical and contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and ARB’s Access & Enrichment initiatives, including the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program. The performing company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th centuries alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today. Founded in 1963, the company is currently under the artistic leadership of Douglas Martin, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet.
