Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s production of Coppélia is a colorful blend of dancing and comedy. With choreography by Artistic Director Emeritus Dianna Cuatto, based on Arthur Saint-Leon’s original 1870 choreography, and music by Leo Delibes, the ballet tells the story of young Swanhilda, engaged to the flirtatious Franz, who finds himself drawn to the mysterious Coppélia. Performed at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and available for live-stream viewing, it is a wonderful way to end the season.
Emily Carey gives a wide range of emotions as Swanhilda, from fear and anger to love and curiosity. She pushes away Franz (Ryan Massey) as he flirts with other women, and gingerly pokes Coppélia (Olivia Fohsz) in the workshop. Pretending to be another mechanical doll, she can be mischievous, walking robotically before “pounding” on Dr. Coppelius’s (Alexander Collen) back. She has lovely leg extensions and spins, and her duets with Massey are beautiful to watch as he lifts and dips her. Ryan Massey plays Franz with a youthful energy, leaping across the stage and carrying a ladder to spy on Coppelia. His duet with Carey in Act III is full of graceful power.
Anne Gutcher, Sarah Jung, Lauren Martinez, Brenna Mazzara, Marjorie O’Hearne, and Karissa Kralik dance perfectly in unison as Swanhilda’s friends, circling around Swanhilda and Franz, or gliding across the stage. They also have great comic timing; as they tiptoe into Dr. Coppelius’s workshop, one has to be pulled forward. Confronted by Dr. C, they cower and turn their bodies away before sliding through his legs.
Alexander Collen plays Dr. Coppelius with an air of mystery and slight menace. Stooped over and using a cane, the Village Boys (Aaron Bauer, River Byrd, Isaac Martinez, and Michael West) lift him up and carry him before he chases them off. He chases Franz around the workshop before seducing him with drink.
Olivia Fohsz plays Coppélia perfectly, staying completely still even with people poking her. When she moves, she does so mechanically. The other dolls (Isaac Martinez, Cassandra Hope, Michael West, Clara Molina, Hannah Hanson, Rowan Treece, and Gabriella Femia) also stay perfectly still, often in comically difficult positions. Dancing in place, they capture the different flavors of each dance while moving 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 full of energy, stomping out a rhythm on the ground. Michael West as the Lead for War and Peace swings a sword around the stage, leaping and spinning.
The sets and costumes, designed by Brian Walker, Calder Taylor, Meagan Helman, Alyssa Johnson-Taylor, Karen Kralik, Karissa Kralik, and Aaron Bauer, are simple but effective. Acts I and III have two buildings on either side 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 various dolls covered by sheets. A curtain in the back allows for hiding and a quick change. Swanhilda begins in a white peasant skirt and brown vest, later changing to a white wedding-like dress. Her friends dress alike in pink dresses, while the Mazurkas wear orange dresses.
Lighting Designer Stacie Johnson-Leske uses lighting effects to help the mood, with Dr. C’s lab dark and mysterious. Act III is brightly lit and cheerful. Dianna Cuatto’s choreography is full of lovely movements and comic moments. The dancers are all expressive, their emotions showing through their faces and steps. Before the ballet begins, a narrator sets the scene by dramatically reading a synopsis while surrounded by attentive Villagers. In Coppélia, Ballet Theatre of Maryland closes its season with a production full of comedy and touching scenes as well as beautiful dancing and music.
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including two intermissions of 10 and 15 minutes.
Coppélia played on April 22, 2022, at 7:30 pm and April 23 at 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm presented by Ballet Theatre of Maryland performing at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, and simultaneously live-streamed.
The Coppélia program is online here.
