Giant doll comes to life

MPAC brings the magic of classic ballet to DVHS with Coppelia

MILFORD, PA — The Milford Performing Arts Center’s (MPAC) dance company will present the 19th century comic masterpiece, “Coppelia,” on Saturday, March 10 at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., and on Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Set in an early 19th-century Bavarian village, “Coppelia” draws the young lovers Swanilda and Franz into the world of the eccentric Dr. Coppelius and the mysterious, enchantingly life-like doll Coppelia, whom they believe to be his daughter. Attracted to this shy beauty reading in the toymaker’s window, Franz and the other boys in the village fall for Coppelia and try to win her affections. This causes Swanilda and her friends to sneak into Dr. Coppelius’ fantastic shop out of jealousy. They soon discover that Coppelia is but a lifeless doll. After a small feud between the girls and boys, the couples make up and Swanilda and Franz are set to wed.

Appearing as Coppelia is DVHS senior Kaitlin Paul. The part of Swanilda is portrayed by high school junior—and Kaitlin’s sister—Megan Paul, and dancing the role of Franz is recent graduate Jonathon Bolte. Dr. Coppelius is played by MPAC guest artist James Campistrous (James Angelo), whose achievements include dancing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company with Mikhail Baryshnikov and in several Broadway shows.

The MPAC opened in August 2002 with 13 students. The small dance school steadily grew to where it is today with over 100 students from Milford and the surrounding area, ranging in ages from two through adult. MPAC offers classes in ballet, Pointe, jazz, tap, theater dance, hip-hop, lyrical and tumbling.

Tickets are sold at the door and prices are $12 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and children under 18. Currently enrolled MPAC students are admitted free, as well as children under the age of three.

For more information visit MPAConline.com or call 570/296-9455.