There’s an old saying about acting: Drama is easy, comedy is hard.
If that’s true, it must be doubly hard if the comedy is a ballet.
Comedy is hard for dancers as well as actors, concedes Gabriella Yudenich, principal faculty for Next Generation Ballet®. However, she adds, “It’s fun because we don’t have too many comedies in ballet.”
Gabriella is in the midst of rehearsals for NGB’s upcoming performances of Coppélia, considered the finest of ballet’s comedies. The ballet will be performed May 9-10 in Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall.
The story begins with Swanhilda discovering her fiancé, Franz, attempting to flirt with another girl. The girl sits reading on the balcony of the house owned by Dr. Coppelius, an eccentric and mysterious inventor.
Swanhilda discovers that her rival is actually a life-size and lifelike doll created by Coppelius. Swanhilda decides to teach Franz a lesson by disguising herself as the doll and pretending it has come to life, setting off a chain of comedic confusion.
Coppélia requires dancers to convey its comedic aspects without words and while in motion. “There’s a lot of pantomime with the story and the storytelling,” Gabriella said. The dancers are “learning how to make that read to the audience. It’s all through their hands and gestures.”
Like any other comedy, it requires timing. “If you do it too fast, it goes over people’s heads. You have to know how do that slowly but thoroughly so that it’s understood,” Gabriella said.
Coppélia also is known for the spectacular solos performed by its principal dancers. The role of Swanhilda is particularly challenging but rewarding, Gabriella said.
The second act, when Swanhilda disguises herself as the doll to convince Coppelius it has come to life is especially demanding, Gabriella said. “It’s a really difficult and rewarding ballet for the principals,” she said.
Gabriellas has high praise for NGB’s new artistic director Antonio Douthit-Boyd. “To have him in the studio working with the kids and supporting us always feels good,” Gabriella said.
“Antonio has a calm, confident air about him, and he brings that to the rehearsal room with the kids,” Gabriella said. “He’s been a joy. He’s definitely been great to work with.”
The final show of NGB’s season can’t help but feel a bit poignant, knowing many of the dancers will be moving on from Patel to advance their careers.
“It’s bittersweet sometimes,” Gabriella said. “But at the same time, you’re happy because you were able to teach them and give them a ballet education. And all that they learned in a ballet education, they’re going to take with them to wherever they go next. And it will make them successful whatever they do. They’ve learned and they’ve worked and they’re ready to go. So it’s more happy than sad.”
Coppélia will be performed May 9-10 in Ferguson Hall. For tickets, click here.
