Beck Center Presenting Comic Ballet ‘Coppélia’

Imagine a mad inventor creating a doll that a boy falls in love with; another girl trying to win the boy’s affection by impersonating the doll; and the chaos that ensues.

Make it a ballet set in a small European village hundreds of years ago, and you’ve got the “light-hearted and comedic” ballet, "Coppélia." 

Performances are slated to take place at Beck Center for the Arts at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 16 and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. March 17.

Presented by Beck Center for the Arts’ Dance Education, the ballet is showing in the Recital Hall of the Music-Armory Building behind the main building.

Tickets are now on sale and seating is limited. 

“Coppélia” features European dances including the mazurka, czardas and valse (waltz).

Bringing young children? Don’t fret. This condensed version of the classic ballet is suitable for audiences of all ages.

According to a news release, the production features a cast of 50 dancers from its Dance Education program and Dance Workshop, a performing company of select Beck Center dancers.

The cast:

• The role of Swanhilda will be performed alternately between performances by high school seniors Taylor Gerrasch and Julia Horner.
• The role of Franz will be performed by Beck Center Dance Education faculty member, Jason Wang, who has performed regionally with the Cincinnati Ballet and Louisville Ballet.
• Doctor Coppelius is played by actor Timothy J. Allen who audiences may remember from past Beck Center shows such as Fiddler on the Roof (Motel) and Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour).
• With original choreography by Marius Petipa, the “father of classical ballet,” this production also includes additional choreography by Melanie Szucs, associate director of Dance Education at Beck Center.

Reserved seating tickets for Coppélia are $10 for children (18 and under) and $12 for adults and seniors.

Tickets are available online beckcenter.org or by calling 216-521-2540.