“One of the things I think is great about ‘Coppélia,’ is that it’s a story ballet, a great introduction for anybody who’s not familiar with ballet,” says Pennsylvania Youth Ballet-Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley Artistic Director Karen Kroninger Knerr, who choreographs the ballet.

The Pennsylvania Youth Ballet-Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley presents “Coppélia,” 2 p.m. June 1 and 2, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University.

“Coppélia,” a comedic ballet, is the story of a mad inventor, Dr. Coppelius, and the life-like doll he creates. When a village boy named Franz becomes infatuated with the doll, it upsets his fiancée, Swanhilda. She breaks into the inventor’s shop and trades places with the doll. It is a tale of romance, intrigue and hilarious hijinks.

“Coppélia” features the music of Léo Delibes, a French composer of the Romantic era.

“This ballet has some great character dancing in it,” says Knerr. “There’s a large Mazurka [Polish folk dance], where we have 16 dancers. It will look spectacular on stage.

“In Act III, there’s a Czardas [Hungarian dance], which is also a character dance. So, there’s a lot of variety,” Knerr says.

More than 75 dancers from Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and two guest artists, are in the production, including professional guest artist, Lucius Kirst, of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, playing Franz.

“He [Kirst] was Franz when we did ‘Coppélia’ five years ago,” says Knerr. “I’m excited to have him back.”

Community guest artist Kristopher Yoder plays Dr. Coppelius.

“Coppélia,” originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon, premiered in 1870 in Théâtre Impérial l’Opéra, Paris. The story was restaged by Marius Petipa and George Balanchine.

Unlike more dramatic ballets, “Coppélia” brings comedy, whimsy and chicanery to the stage. “There’s certainly a lot of plot twists,” says Knerr.

The costumes are designed by wardrobe stylist Kristin Dundon.

“We have some really beautiful costumes,” says Knerr.

The sets are colorful and lively and are expected to be especially enchanting for children.

“It’s a great family-friendly ballet that we would love everybody to come out and enjoy. There’s going to be something for everybody,” Knerr says.

Lucius Kirst (Franz), a native of Los Angeles, was named Principal Dancer of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2022. Kirst previously performed with Ballet San Jose and was a member of the Studio Company at American Ballet Theatre.

Kirst trained on full scholarship at The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City and received his early training at City Ballet School in San Francisco and Marin Ballet in California. He participated in summer intensive programs at American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet.

Kristopher Yoder (Dr. Coppelius) is a frequent performer with the Ballet Guild. Yoder performed as Herr Drosselmeyer in the Guild’s production of “The Nutcracker” for many years; the evil stepmother in “Cinderella,” and Mr. Darling in “Peter Pan.”

Student dancers include Linnea Crouch as Swanhilda (junior, Moravian Academy), Lauren Kunkle as Dawn (senior, Nazareth Area High School), Anna Yorgey as Dawn (senior, Parkland High School), Finola Hieter as Prayer (junior, Southern Lehigh High School) and Abigail Healey as Prayer (PYB Alumna).

The Mazurka Leads are Ava Baraket (junior, Bethlehem Catholic High School), Kayla Stahlnecker (sophomore, Allentown Central Catholic High School), Lucia Nowak (junior, Liberty High School), Avery Shear (sophomore, Moravian Academy), Andy Alulis (junior, Whitehall High School), Zeby Fraser (freshman, Freedom High School), Zander Ritchey (senior, Moravian Academy) and Aidan Lazo (sophomore, Parkland High School).

There’s a meet-and-greet after each performance. The audience can meet the cast and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the production.

“Everybody loves it,” Knerr says of the meet-and-greet.

“It’s a great way for anybody who comes to the performance to see the dancers up close and in person, maybe even get a few photos. They can walk up on stage, which I think is a new perspective for people,” says Knerr.

The Pennsylvania Youth Ballet-Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley, “Coppélia,” 2 p.m. June 1 and 2, Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, 420 E. Packer Ave, Bethlehem. Tickets: 610-758-2787, www.zoellnerartscenter.org