West Hawaii Dance Theatre presents the comedic ballet COPPELIA

West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy proudly presents the comedic ballet “Coppélia” at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Showtime is 5:00pm. This family-friendly, historic ballet has been reconstructed from the original choreography by WHDT’s Founder & Artistic Director Virginia Holte, Assistant Director Midori Satoh and Instructor Jenna Ojeda. Megan Joy Chapman and Ann Marie Pargett contribute newly added choreography. The newly formed West Hawaii Dance Theatre Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Maestro Brian Dollinger accompany the dancers for this performance “Coppélia” tells the amusing tale of village girl Swanilda and her fiancé, Franz. Though he’s set to marry her, Franz’s wavering affection falls on Coppélia, a lifelike doll that he mistakes at a distance for a beautiful young woman. Unbeknownst to Franz, Coppélia is the creation of old toymaker, Dr. Coppélius. Not realizing that her betrothed has fallen for a doll, comedy ensues when the feisty Swanilda and her friends sneak into the eccentric doll-maker’s musty workshop where she intends to confront her romantic rival. With the mischievous antics of Franz, the jealous tirades of Swanilda, and comedic and heart-felt eccentricities of Dr. Coppélius, Coppélia really bursts with personality. Children and adults alike always leave the theatre chuckling. Showcasing youth, innocence, playfulness and joy, comic exuberance and vitality, “Coppélia” fits perfectly into West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy’s repertoire. Coppélia premiered at the Theatre Imperial de l'Opéra in Paris on May 25, 1870. The three-act ballet was first choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon with the musical score by Léo Delibes shimmering in violin melodies and fast-cascading Slavic themes. The ballet was later restaged by Marius Petipa and again by Lev Ivanov and Enrico Cecchetti. WHDT Senior dancers Mako Yamamoto and Enna Hendrickson lead the ballet as Swanhilda and Coppélia. Andrew Fung, a HPA student is Franz .Over 70 local youth, teen and adult community dancers round out the cast. A favorite with Hawaii audiences, , Visiting Professional Danseur Timour Bourtasenkov, formerly of the Bolshoi Ballet, will play the role of Dr. Coppélius. Purchase tickets at www.kahilutheatre.org. For more Information please call West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy at (808) 329-8876 or visit www.whdt.org. West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is sponsored in part by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Hawaii Community Foundation, Vance Wall Foundation, Valerie Cartwright and Richard Olazaba, Ironman, Macy’s, Cooke Foundation and our local businesses and families. — West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy proudly presents the comedic ballet “Coppélia” at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Showtime is 5:00pm. This family-friendly, historic ballet has been reconstructed from the original choreography by WHDT’s Founder & Artistic Director Virginia Holte, Assistant Director Midori Satoh and Instructor Jenna Ojeda. Megan Joy Chapman and Ann Marie Pargett contribute newly added choreography. The newly formed West Hawaii Dance Theatre Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Maestro Brian Dollinger accompany the dancers for this performance “Coppélia” tells the amusing tale of village girl Swanilda and her fiancé, Franz. Though he’s set to marry her, Franz’s wavering affection falls on Coppélia, a lifelike doll that he mistakes at a distance for a beautiful young woman. Unbeknownst to Franz, Coppélia is the creation of old toymaker, Dr. Coppélius. Not realizing that her betrothed has fallen for a doll, comedy ensues when the feisty Swanilda and her friends sneak into the eccentric doll-maker’s musty workshop where she intends to confront her romantic rival. With the mischievous antics of Franz, the jealous tirades of Swanilda, and comedic and heart-felt eccentricities of Dr. Coppélius, Coppélia really bursts with personality. Children and adults alike always leave the theatre chuckling. Showcasing youth, innocence, playfulness and joy, comic exuberance and vitality, “Coppélia” fits perfectly into West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy’s repertoire. Coppélia premiered at the Theatre Imperial de l'Opéra in Paris on May 25, 1870. The three-act ballet was first choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon with the musical score by Léo Delibes shimmering in violin melodies and fast-cascading Slavic themes. The ballet was later restaged by Marius Petipa and again by Lev Ivanov and Enrico Cecchetti. WHDT Senior dancers Mako Yamamoto and Enna Hendrickson lead the ballet as Swanhilda and Coppélia. Andrew Fung, a HPA student is Franz .Over 70 local youth, teen and adult community dancers round out the cast. A favorite with Hawaii audiences, , Visiting Professional Danseur Timour Bourtasenkov, formerly of the Bolshoi Ballet, will play the role of Dr. Coppélius. Purchase tickets at www.kahilutheatre.org. For more Information please call West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy at (808) 329-8876 or visit www.whdt.org. West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is sponsored in part by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Hawaii Community Foundation, Vance Wall Foundation, Valerie Cartwright and Richard Olazaba, Ironman, Macy’s, Cooke Foundation and our local businesses and families. — West Hawaii Dance Theatre presents the comedic ballet "Coppelia" at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on Saturday, May 18. One show only at 5:00pm. The newly formed West Hawaii Dance Theatre Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Maestro Brian Dollinger will accompany over 70 local and professional dancers. Coppelia is a sparkling tale of a mysterious inventor, his life sized doll and an inquisitive young couple. This light hearted ballet is full of warmth , romance and laughter.