| OCR Text |
Show Che Salt SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 1996 Lake Tribune LS JACK GOODMAN Page E-2 “Cop pel By ECTION Page E-4 —AN ENCHANTI NGDOLL oe Ballet West Presents New Version of Beloved Tale ByHelen Forsberg THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE “Coppélia” is often called classical ballet's greatest comedy. But in someways that is a mis- Rick Egan The Sult Lake Tribun Sheril Hill, left, Leslie Walker and Richard Hill are converting a churchinto a theater nomer. The 19th-centuryfull-length work does have humorous moments, and everything works out well for everyonein the end But thereis alsoa darksideto this Germantale NOMADS NO MORE of an obsessed dollmaker, Dr. Coppelius. There is Franz, a young manwhofalls in love with the mechanical girl who is Dr. Coppelius’ greatest creation. And there is Swanhilda. Franz’s fiancée, who eventually wins back his love Onecritic went so far as to that whenreducedto bare bones, thesto: bit kinky Not so. said Ben Stevenson, artistic directorof the Houston Ballet, whose “Coppélia” will have its Utah premiereat Salt LakeCity’s Capitol Theatre this week It's a charming story,” After 3-Year Hiatus, Provo Theatre Co. Has a Home said Stevenson via telephonefromhis Houston office. “It has humor as well as pathos.” In years past, “Coppélia,”” as choreographed by Ballet West founder Willam F. Christensen was one of the company’s most popular works By Nancy Yet it has not been seen since May 1980 — nor has anyother production of “Coppélia PROVO — “Location to How manytimes have Enter Stevenson, who has two successful fulllength works in the Ballet West repertory: “Cinderella” and ‘Alice in Wonderland.” Because of the popularity of those two ballets, artistic John Hart asked Stevenson to stage “Coppélia’ tacked on that caveat to a ¢ ate upcom Too many, said the founder atre Company three years a for Peter Pan’ Ballet West According tocritics in the Houston area, where on rented stage uptheir 7-year-oldtraveling tent pitch it again until the ground unde their own the ballet premieredin 1992, Stevenson has created an entertaining and enchanting version of Coppélia,” Me be An idie threat uttered once m rather than onewith dark touches. paint-possessed” Maybe. except this time t [Stevenson] has chosen to treat this comedy as comedy, pure andsimple, emphasizing its lighter and more knockabout elements, and what depth is lost is more than madeup forin the appeal of declarationpaid off, Aided!t glittering frothy surfaces,’ wrote Mitchell J tion beganin October 94 for PTC's Shields of the Houston Press. Thethree-act ballet. based on theclassictale Der Sandmann by E.T.A. Hoffmann(who also wrote the tale on which “The Nutcracker” is based), hadits premierein 1870 at the Paris Opera. Choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon. a dancer/violinist, and set to a lilting score by Leo Delibes, it was the last major work to be created for the Frenchballet stage. Six monthsafter the mous de and a spirited community effort that would press Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. const: home On the night of April Fool's Day. th pany will present “Joseph and the Amazing Tect nicolor Dreamcoat” as the first production ir Paul Fraughton The Salt Lake Tribune Coppelia (Rachel Viselli) is surrounded by other characters from Dr. Coppelius’ toy shop premiere, France had become preoccupied with the Franco-Prussian war. and the Paris Opera is said to have stood as an inspiration for Tehai had become the stables for the Prussian army. By that time, Saint-Leon was dead and the young ballerina whostarred. Giuseppina Bozacchi, had died of smallpox But the charm of “Coppélia” was not wiped out. Its spirit, particularly in Delibes’ score — the let music. The use of the Eastern European fla first official home: the renovated First Church Christ Scientist buil 1926 ner of East and 100 North. Standing ed wings will be us Petipa. Some companies have continued the first definitive dance score — movedon to the Russian Imperial Theater in St. Petersburg Delibes’ success with his score for “Coppélia ard Hill. board chairman: and Jud member and musical director for Donny Osmond. who has be Coppélia” was first danced in Americaat the Metropolitan Opera Ballet by Anna Pavlova and has remained so Joseph.” is coming ‘home” to st the two-night premiere April and guest gala in the Utah Count rotunda will precede the perforn Hoffmann story When the ballet reached St. Petersburg. Saint Leon's choreographywas reconstructed by Mari i crowd pleaser starring Mikhail Mordkin. Since that time. choreogra phers have gone their own way with the work while continuing with the Delibes music and the vors in the music — the Mazurka and Czardas — was popularat the timeDelibes introduced it and Provo Theatre for Lynn Frost. president and artist Saint-Leontradition: others have been derived fromthe Petipastyling kovsky andlater Stravinsky in writing their bal ated 4 ater. Rumor has it t of many @ See COPPELIA, B-7 B See PROVO. I WEDDING REGISTRY The Night of the Iguana By Tennessee Williams A powerful ‘. poetic drama. Ata remote hotel in the jungles of Mexico unde World War. a small group of | : ouls : nong them is Shannon. the ill of the spirit and the temptat the strong-willed but world-weary hote sho may offer Shannon his Ame gathe failed minister v es proprietre ‘ last glimpse of salvatior Express, MasterCard. VISA Discover a 581-6961 BPIONEER THEATRE 7 OMPANY a Ey February 14 to March 2 |
