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Dolling around for V-Day: Romantic comedy of Pinocchio-like proportions comes to the Eisemann
Photo courtesy of Chamberlain Performing Arts - True to its 19th Century Parisian roots, "Coppelia" is an unlikely comedic tale of a young man who falls hopelessly in love with life-size doll and learns an important lesson from his jilted fiance. Performed by Plano's Chamberlain Performing Arts, this classic ballet is in town for one night only at the Charles W. Eisemann Center in Richardson on Feb. 9.
By Kelley Chambers, kchambers@starlocalnews.com, @KelleyChambers7 on Twitter
In the days of star-crossed love blossoming between zombie and human, Chamberlain Performing Arts will visit a more traditional form of unlikely romance just in time for Valentine's Day.
The Plano-based company will present the full-length comic ballet "Coppelia" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Hill Performance Hall of the Charles W. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson.
Directed by Phillip Broomhead, formerly of the Houston Ballet, and presented by Tiffany & Company, "Coppelia," which was first performed in Paris in 1870, is sometimes referred to as "The Girl with Enamel Eyes" because it tells the story of a doll mistaken for a living girl.
Swanhilde retaliates by confronting her rival and dressing as the doll, pretending to make it come to life, thus saving him from an untimely end at the hands of Coppelius. Confusion leads to humor in this romantic comedy but, as always, it promises a happy ending.
"Coppelia is often described as ballet's great comedy," said Kathy Chamberlain, founder and artistic director of Chamberlain Performing Arts, in a release. "Although it is essentially a romantic comedy, making it an ideal fit for Valentine's weekend, it is also a hilarious pantomime with broad appeal for the whole family."
The ballet will also welcome some notable professionals to Dallas, including Dallas Blagg, a former soloist with the Zurich Ballet, who will play the role of lovesick Franz. Blagg and others will be joined by the Chamberlain Performing Arts ballet company, consisting of roughly 60 members ranging in age from 11 to 18, who plan on delivering graceful performances, including the familiar "Dance of the Hours."
For Chamberlain's Director of Operations Val Liberatore, playing the role of Coppelius was not a first; however, performing alongside his wife, Mischic - who plays Swanhilde and is also Chamberlain's ballet mistress - has been a special opportunity. Although the two have danced together in the past, performing through this romantic ballet in celebration of Valentine's Day reinforces the couple's love for both ballet and for one another.
"For me, I know most husbands wouldn't say this, to have to live with and work with their wife all afternoon. Most would not want to spend 24/7 together but I love it and we love working together," Liberatore said. "Artistically, we see a lot of things the same way. There's some fighting every once in a while, I'm not going to lie, but most of the time we work together really well."
While "Coppelia" does center around young love and may incorporate some mature aspects into the storyline, this ballet is for people of all ages, as it also echoes some Disney-esque undertones.
"It's kind of like the Pinocchio idea," Liberatore said. "I think, especially with my character, in Pinocchio you have Geppetto who's this very lonely old man that the village leaves alone; he's not loved, he's old. Even though he's eccentric to you and I, he looks like a complete weirdo to everyone in the village. He has a doll he has built and he loves it and just wants to see it come alive. That's kind of how Dr. Coppelius is."
Chamberlain will also offer a free performance for roughly 1,500 underprivileged members of the community. Since it first offered these free performances in 1991, the troupe has brought their productions to many as 27,000 guests.
Tickets range from $10 to $100 and can be purchased by calling the Eisemann Center box office at 972-744-4650 or online at eisemanncenter.com. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more. For information about Chamberlain Performing Arts, visit chamberlainperformingarts.org.
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