Newtown Centre Of Classical Ballet

Will Present ‘The Toy Shop’

Artistic Director Jennifer Johnston of Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet (NCCB) has announced that NCCB students will present The Toy Shop, an adaptation of Coppelia, for this year’s annual spring recital. Performances are scheduled for Friday, June 13, at 7 pm, and Saturday, June 14, at 2 pm, at Reed Intermediate School, Trades Lane.

Ms Johnston has re-choreographed the original story of Coppelia to the music of Delibes to incorporate her entire ballet school from creative movement through her advanced students. She has centered the story line around Swanhilda, her two best friends, and Dr Coppelius, the mysterious inventor who has a toy shop of dolls from various countries and a very special doll he calls Coppelia.

Swanhilda and her friends are intrigued with Coppelia because everyone in the village thinks she is his daughter so they sneak into the toy shop to investigate when suddenly Dr Coppelius arrives and the folly begins.

The Toy Shop provides NCCB’s students with an opportunity to highlight their studies at NCCB from classical, folk and character while utilitzing their acting abilities in various scenes of this humorous and delightful ballet. Guest artist Jennifer Agius of Barnard College will play the role of Dr Coppelius.

This year’s program will also feature the Malenkee Ballet Repertoire Company (official ballet company of NCCB), who will present their own individual variations. Guest Artist Kelsey Cantore of Quinnipiac College has choreographed a modern variation for the Repertoire Class.

The performances are free and open to the public. For further information, call 426-9299.