American Repertory Ballet Presents COPPELIA At State Theatre New Jersey

On Friday, October 19 at 8:00 pm, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) presents the timeless classic ballet, Coppélia, at the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.

"We are excited to be bringing Coppélia to the State Theater stage this fall," says Artistic Director Douglas Martin. "One of the few comedic ballets in the classical ballet repertoire, Coppélia is the perfect story ballet for all audiences."

In Coppélia, brilliant classical dance meets a delightfully comic narrative. The three-act ballet tells the light-hearted story of how Franz, a village boy engaged to Swanhilda, becomes infatuated with a life-like doll created by the eccentric inventor, Dr. Coppelius. Hilarity ensues over love and mistaken identity.

Originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon, Coppélia premiered in Paris in 1870. Saint-Léon's interest in folk dancing figures prominently in the ballet, and is also reflected in the lush symphonic music by French composer Léo Delibes. With its tuneful and romantic music, Coppélia stands alongside such classics as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker as the best-loved and most enduring ballets of all time.

Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, Coppélia introduced automatons, dolls and marionettes to ballet productions. Because of its success with audiences, ballets like Nutcracker followed suit with dolls and toys that come to life. Coincidentally, Nutcracker is also based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman.

A delightful evening of ballet fun for families and children of all ages, The New York Times calls Coppélia "one of the happiest ballets in existence."

Tickets start at $35. To order, visit stnj.org or call 732.246.7469.

For more information, arballet.org