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A Surprising Coppelia by a Surprising Company
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Stanley Holden
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By Don Kolman
What a pleasant surprise! At last the Los Angeles area has, in the Inland Pacific Ballet, a professional ballet company that can dance. All Southern California balletomanes should make haste to the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at California State University, Los Angeles on May 12 or 13 to see this company's delightful production of Coppelia.
This production is staged by Stanley Holden after Ninette de Valois and is a joy to behold. The scenic design by Daniel C. Nyiri is just right--gingerbread building in bright pastel colors. The costumes designed by Jean Nolden and Victoria Koenig could not be more appropriate, and the lighting by Elizabeth Stillwell makes everything sparkle and shine. This totally unified production would do many major ballet companies proud.
This reviewer was struck almost immediately by how well the corps de ballet was rehearsed and how well it danced. It was a pleasure to see a corps consisting of individuals who seemed genuinely to be enjoying themselves and who were all smiles. When not dancing, the corps' members were in character and not standing around like so much furniture.
Stanley Holden as Dr. Coppelius was a delight. Mr. Holden has done this role so many times that he has become his character, not merely someone playing a role.
Tina Le Blanc, Swanilda, is familiar to Southern California ballet fans from her many local appearances with both the Joffrey and San Francisco ballet companies. She was as lovely and dazzling as ever. Besides being a beautiful dancer, Ms. LeBlanc is an accomplished actress. Patricia Tomlinson will assume the role of Swanlida this weekend at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex.
Jordi Ribera, Franz, is new to Southern California dance audiences, and he was a rousing success. Trained by Galina Ulanova and Erik Bruhn, Mr. Ribera is an outstanding soloist and a strong, attentive partner. He had grerat elevation in his jumps and was fleet in his turns. Sadly, Mr. Ribera's dancing did at times seem cramped by the small size of the Bridges Auditorium stage.
All in all, it was an outstanding evening of ballet. Inland Pacific Ballet Director Victoria Koenig is to be commended for building this excellent company. One can only hope that it will continue to grow and prosper, for the company is an invaluable addition to the Southern California world of dance.
Inland Pacific Ballet's Coppelia will be repeated Saturday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. at Luckman Fine Arts Complex, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive. (323) 343-6600. Information can be obtained at www.ipballet.org or by calling (909) 482-1590.
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