Ballet Jorgen back in Vernon

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society is bringing Ballet Jorgen’s Coppelia to the Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Coppelia is the third show in the 2018-19 Spotlight Dance Series.

Coppelia, one of the oldest surviving ballets, is one of the best known and most performed comedic ballets in the world. It takes the audience into the mysterious mind of Dr. Coppelius, a lonely and disillusioned toy maker who wishes he could bring a perfect doll to life.

Toronto-based Ballet Jorgen (Anastasia, Swan Lake) brings a contemporary retelling of the story in a show designed for all ages.

When Dr. Coppelius creates Coppelia, a stunning, life-sized dancing doll, hilarity ensues as Nathanael, one of the local villagers, falls madly in love with the doll. His sweetheart Klara enacts revenge by pretending to be Coppelia to punish Nathanael.

Original choreography from Bengt Jorgen showcases the high technical standards of the company dancers. Ballet Jorgen’s first production of Coppelia premiered in 2001 as an international co-production between Ballet Jorgen and The Hong Kong Ballet.

Ballet Jorgen will be hosting a Master Class from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Marie Fleming Hall on Feb. 19. This class is suitable for ballet students 14 and over and pre-registration is required. Tickets to the Master Class are $20 per person and includes a ticket to the following night’s performance. Call Ticket Seller (250549-7469) to register.

Ballet Jorgen is also looking for local dancers for their Local Participant program, which calls for young dancers to join the company onstage during the performance.

The company is also hosting auditions for their education programs in the Marie Fleming Hall on Feb. 19 from 7:30-9 p.m.. Visit canadasballetjorgen.ca for more information about the Local Participant program and the education programs.

Tickets for Coppelia are $45 for adults, $42 for seniors and $40 for students through Ticket Seller.