Northwest Ballet blends comedy and tragedy for spring show
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 hour, 1 minute AGO
Northwest Ballet Company Guest Artist Malachi Bennetts as the Phantom and Demi Soloist Sara Buljovcic as Christine Daaé in "Phantom of the Opera." (Photo courtesy of Digital Montana Photography)
The Northwest Ballet Company's 46th annual spring production at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts features comedy and tragedy during Mother's Day weekend.
"The first half makes me laugh, while the last half makes me cry," said Company Director Marisa Roth.
"Both are such great stories, characters and music," she states about the compilation show featuring Act II of "Coppélia" and excerpts from the "Phantom of the Opera."
Opening the performance is "Coppélia,"a comic ballet first performed in Paris in 1870 and based on a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Another popular tale by Hoffmann, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," inspired the story of "The Nutcracker," a ballet also performed by the Northwest Ballet Company every Thanksgiving weekend in Bigfork.
Roth has selected the playful second act of "Coppélia" that has been described as a "comedy involving a feisty heroine, a boyish fiancée with a wandering eye, an old dollmaker," and of course, his fascinating dolls.
Northwest Ballet Company Principal and no stranger to their stage Marygrace Knuffke plays the role of Swanilda, in her senior year at Glacier High School.
"This being my last show has made me realize how such a big part of my life has been dance," she said. "I’m going to miss portraying characters that exemplify my own personality and all the late-night rehearsals that allowed me to bond so tightly with the other dancers. I’ve always played smiley characters and for this show I’m especially excited that my character of Swanhilda has so much sass and attitude!"
Many people are familiar with the "Phantom of the Opera", and it will be the second half of the weekend's production. Roth has choreographed truly classical ballet technique inspired by the most familiar songs, while continuing to follow the timeless storyline.
Homeschooled Senior and Northwest Ballet Company Demi Soloist Sara Buljovcic is grateful to be part of the company.
"It feels just like being part of a family," she said. "The experiences I've gained here and the things I have learned about life, dance, and building community mean so much to me. A heartfelt thank you to Marisa for everything you do for us. I'll always remember the memories I've made with this season's company girls—thank you for making this year so special."
Reserved seating tickets for the Northwest Ballet Company's event are available online at northwestballet.com or at facebook.com/NWB.Co.
Performances are Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 10, at 4 p.m. The popular Fairy Godmother's Parade follows the 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday in the theater. Ticket prices are $24 for adults and $15 for children (12 and under). \
On show days, tickets will be available at the Bigfork Center's box office, 526 Electric Avenue, Bigfork, one hour before the performances start.
For more information, call (406)755-0760, email [email protected], or visit northwestballet.com.