CHAMBERSBURG- The Chambersburg Ballet presents Act III of the classical ballet “Coppelia”, a whimsical and comedic ballet which has inspired dancers and theater lovers of all ages since 1870. This light-hearted story is joyfully told through classical ballet and folk dance to Léo Delibes’ orchestrated score. There will be two performances on Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on the main stage in the historic Capitol Theatre at 159 S. Main Street in Chambersburg. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and $10 for ages 3-5. Tickets can be purchased at www.chambersburgballet.org.
“Coppelia Act III” is the celebration of the main characters, Swanhilda and Franz’s Marriage! The other divertissements are to celebrate the times of the day; Morning, Night, Work, Play, War and finalized by a Pas De Deux to symbolize Peace, much like the wedding vows a bride and groom would say to commit their lives to each other.
The Act concludes with a grand finale with all of the dancers joining in on the celebration. Artistic Director Brian Grant has staged the premiere of Act 3, with plans of expanding the show into a Full Length Production over the next few years.
Chris Lingner will play the role of Franz. Lingner began his career joining the 2009 National Tour of Twyla Tharp’s Moving Out, dancing the principal roles of Eddie and James, making him one of the youngest performers to ever dance these roles. Mr. Lingner has been a Principal guest artist with Midwest Repertory Ballet, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Indianapolis School of Ballet, New Albany Ballet, Peoria Ballet, in the Young Stars of Ballet Gala, presented by Indianapolis City Ballet, Ballet Virginia, Dayton Ballet, and Chamber Dance Project in Washington D.C.
Grace McCutheon will play the role of Swanhilda. McCutheon is a native of Zanesville, Ohio and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM) where she completed a BFA in dance and a BBA in business economics. At CCM she performed as a soloist in Dierdre Carberry’s Don Quixote and Medora in Carberry’s Le Jardin Animé. She was cast to perform in Qi Jiang’s Rite of Spring and Russian Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade for the spring of 2020. She then accepted a co-op with Fort Wayne Ballet where she worked under the artistic direction of Karen Gibbons-Brown. In 2021 she became an apprentice with Indianapolis Ballet and shortly after was promoted to the main company where she has performed in a variety of classical and neoclassical ballets.
The second half of the show will be an End of the Year Showcase for all Chambersburg Ballet dancers in the school, which will help to show the general progression of each class, and where each class will be eventually moving towards technique wise, concluding with the entire school being a part of the show’s final Grand Promenade.
The Chambersburg Ballet was established in 1999 and provides classical ballet education, training and performance art in Franklin County and is located inside the historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Chambersburg. The Chambersburg Ballet operates a school for all ages and a pre-professional dance company. Contact Brian Grant, the Chambersburg Ballet’s Artistic Director, with any questions at 502-386-8099 or [email protected].
