Day of family fun includes classical ballets

Anyone with children knows how hard it is to pull the kids away from their iPods, let alone for an evening of theater.

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs will tackle this challenge with an abbreviated and uplifting performance of two classical ballets in a short, less-than-an-hour performance Sunday afternoon.

The afternoon of family fun and orchestrated ballet includes abridged 20-minute productions of Igor Stravinsky's exotic suite "The Firebird" and Léo Delibes' popular "Coppélia."

"This is the first time we've done these productions with ballet," says associate conductor Thomas Wilson from the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

The Philharmonic performed the music to "The Firebird" last season, but has yet to tackle the score from "Coppélia."

"These pieces have been on our list of potential projects for a long time," Wilson says.

"By putting the music with the ballet, we get a representation of what these composers really intended."

The Classical Youth Ballet, a performing company of the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs, will bring the music to life under the choreography of co-directors Patricia Hoffman and Holly Marble.

Jennifer Hockings, a faculty member with the Classical Youth Ballet, also aided in the choreography of "The Firebird."

"We always enjoy the opportunity to put our students on a stage with live music in front of an audience," Marble says.

"The learning experience of live music and professional theatre is a positive experience all the way around. We consider it a valuable collaboration."

"This music wants to be danced to," Wilson says.

"The choreography uses dancers of many different levels. It provides a real possibility for younger people to be part of the artistic production."

"Coppélia" takes a different twist to the fairy tale theme in a comically sentimental ballet based on the timeless story of the mysterious toymaker Doctor Coppélius, his lovely full-size dancing doll and two village sweethearts named Franz and Swanhilda.

"‘Coppélia' is about a guy falling in love with a doll. It offers interesting ideas and messages in what we choose to love and how much we invest emotionally," Wilson says.

"The Firebird," which is drawn from a popular Russian fairy tale, follows Prince Ivan on a journey to the mystical realm ruled by Kashchei the Immortal.

The brash, young prince captures the magical Firebird and compels the lovely creature to help him break the magical rule of the evil immortal.

 
DETAILS
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs perform "The Firebird" and "Coppélia"

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday; family-oriented activities begin an hour before performance.
Where: Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.
Cost: $15 adults, $9 children; available at Pikes Peak Center Box Office, TicketsWest outlets, by calling 520-7469 or visiting www.ticketswest.com.