Northwest Ballet presents comedy, drama

The Northwest Ballet Company will present their 38th annual Spring Production at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts over Mother’s Day weekend. Company Director Marisa Roth has compiled a mesmerizing dance experience on the stage for children of all ages.

The opening of the show is “Coppélia”— a comic ballet first performed in Paris in 1870 and based off a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Roth has selected the playful second act of “Coppélia” to open the weekend’s performances. It has been described as a, “comedy involving a feisty heroine, a boyish fiancée with a wandering eye, an old dollmaker,” and of course his fascinating dolls.

Many people are familiar with “The Phantom of the Opera” which will comprise the second half of the weekend’s production. Roth has choreographed truly classical ballet technique inspired by the most familiar songs while continuing to follow the timeless story line.

“I hope these two ballets are as entertaining to watch as they are to dance, as my talented young ladies and hard working gentlemen guests have dedicated such energy and effort into this production,” Roth said. “It seems like there’s every emotion imaginable between these two stories, which is why they make such a wonderful compilation for a production.”

Tickets for reserved seating for this Mother’s Day weekend event are available until May 11 at the Kalispell Grand Hotel, 100 Main Street, Kalispell, 755-8100. On show days, tickets will be available at the Bigfork Center’s box office one hour before the performances start. Ticket prices are $22 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The ballet will be performed at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 13 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. For more information please call the Northwest Ballet at 755-0760 or visit www.northwestballet.com.