Audiences will be whisked away to a toymaker's workshop as Dance Theatre of Tennessee presents Coppelia, a charming and sentimental tale of mistaken identity and a beautiful life-size doll, on Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at MTSU’s Tucker Theatre.
"Coppelia offers absolute delight to ballet newcomers and families, as well as Dance Theatre of Tennessee's most seasoned patrons," says Christopher Mohnani, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Tennessee. "The dancing is, of course, lovely, while the characterization and comic timing of this classic will keep audiences enchanted the entire time."
Presented in three acts, Coppelia is a comedic ballet based on the book of ETA Hoffman, the same author The Nutcracker. The story revolves around the mysterious toymaker Dr. Coppelius, who shares his house on the town square with the beautiful life-size doll, Coppelia, that he created to keep himself company in his workshop. Everyday Coppelia is seated with her book on the front balcony of the toymaker's workshop. His neighbor, Swanhilda, and her fiancé, Franz, believe Coppelia to be real. Franz falls in love with the beautiful doll, and the adventure begins as both he and Swanhilda sneak into the toymaker's workshop, separately, to meet Coppelia.
True to its mission of bringing the beauty of ballet to the people, Dance Theatre of Tennessee is committed in presenting classical ballets that the community might not be immediately familiar with.
“Part of the challenge we boldly face at DTT is programming ballets to develop the community’s ballet palate,” Mohnani says. “By continuously offering narrative ballets that might be lesser known, such as Coppelia, DTT hopes to encourage appreciation of the art form and hopefully develop a wider and more appreciative audience for dance and ballet in general.”
Tickets for Coppelia can be bought by calling Dance Theatre of Tennessee at (615) 391-5500 or online at MSTU’s Tucker Theatre website at www.mtsu.edu/tuckertheatre.