A cast of 80 or so dancers take part in the holiday tradition, Coppelia, presented by the State Ballet of Rhode Island and directed by Herci Marsden.

State Ballet of Rhode Island

Coppelia comes again. For the 47th consecutive year, the State Ballet of Rhode Island performs the classic and lighthearted ballet.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at Rhode Island College.

Coppelia is a story of fantasy and reality, of infatuation and genuine affection. It’s also a big production, generally involving about 80 people, most of whom are children in this semiprofessional training company, and the state’s oldest ballet company, established in 1960.

The plot goes like this: Swanhilda is engaged to marry a man named Frantz, who becomes infatuated with what he thinks from afar is a beautiful woman. But it’s actually a doll, one of many in the toy shop of Dr. Coppelius.

But, for a time, the dolls do dance.

This year, the role of Swanhilda will be shared by Holly Fusco and Rachel Goroza. The role of Frantz will be shared by Mark Marsden and Corey Bourbonniere.

Coppelia was first performed in 1870. This production is directed by Herci Marsden, the artistic director and founder of State Ballet, which is in its 49th year.

Coppelia will be performed Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. in Roberts Auditorium at Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence. For tickets, $25 and $16 for children 12 and younger, call (401) 456-8144 or visit www.ric.edu/pfa.