Renowned choreographer and former Ballet West artistic director Willam F. Christensen admits he was a bit hesitant to bring his own "Coppelia" to the University of Utah's ballet department.
"I'm used to having professional companies dance my ballets," Christensen said in an interview during a rehearsal break. "But (the U.) has a good school."The Utah Ballet Company, along with the Character Dance Ensemble, will present Christensen's "Coppelia" Thursday-Saturday, May 29-31, at Kings-bury Hall. Evening curtain is 7:30 p.m. with a matinee May 31 at 2 p.m.
"About a year ago, I was approached by (U. Ballet artistic director) Attila Ficzere, who wanted to stage the ballet," Christensen said. "I knew the U. program danced the students like anything. So I let them do it."
"I had originally wanted to do the ballet last season," Ficzere said. "But I found Ballet West was going to do it. So I withdrew. I have wanted to do this ballet for quite some time, and I wanted to have Bill there with us.
"He's 94 right now, and I was concerned about his health," Ficzere said. "But things worked out well."
Christensen's "Coppelia" was the first full-length version produced by an American choreographer. The San Francisco Ballet premiered it in 1939. Christensen danced the lead male character, Franz, and Janet Reed danced his betrothed, Swanilda.
"We toured it all over the world," Christensen said. "We went all through Europe. Ballet West took it all over the country. It's one of those ballets where the dancing really matches the music. And it's a fun story that needs drama, dance and humor."
" `Coppelia's' charm lies in the characters and the characterizations," Ficzere said. "Every dancer tells the story differently, just as you or I will tell our own versions of an event. The magical aspect of this ballet is no matter how many times we run through it, whether it is through rehearsals and such, is how the dancers are able to find different ways to create their characters. They find new elements in making this a rich ballet."
"Coppelia," written by "Nutcracker" author E.T.A. Hoffman, tells the story of Franz, Swanlida and a reclusive, eccentric inventor named Dr. Coppelius. One of the doctor's inventions is a lifesize mechanical doll named Cop-pelia.
Through a series of miscommunications and plain foolishness, Franz, Swanilda, the doctor and the doll get mixed up in a love triangle that results in a humorous plot.
"When you really look at it, the story is very bizzare," Ficzere said. "But the way Bill choreographed it makes it charming and, for those who have followed Bill's career, this is a great tribute to him."
To make this production a real tribute, former Ballet West dancers Gary Horton and Rowland Butler will appear as the Burgomeister and the Lord of the Village, respectively.
Ficzere said this production of "Coppelia" is also the first time the U. Ballet will get to work with a live orchestra.
The Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Van Alstyne, will peform the image-laden score by Leo Delibes.
"We really have to thank (professor) Bene Arnold and (department chairwoman) Barbara Hamblin for generating the money for the music and costumes," Ficzere said. "This is a departmental production. There is total cooperation, and we are doing this hand in hand.
"The dancing in this ballet shows the depth and determination of the dancers in this department," Ficzere continued. "One main reason we are putting this production on now is the fact we have the dancers who can do it. We have the right ones at the right time. And if you look around, you can see it."
- TICKETS FOR THE U. BALLET'S PRODUCTION OF WILLAM F. CHRIS-TENSEN'S "COPPELIA" are $7 for general admission and are available at the Kingsbury Hall box office. Reserved tickets are available for $32 by calling Lisette Miles at 581-5942. Each reserved ticket includes a $25 tax-deductible contribution to the Ballet Department.