Ballet Repertory Theatre bringing back “Alice in Wonderland”
Ballet Repertory Theatre bringing back ‘Alice in Wonderland’
‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’ BY BALLET REPERTORY THEATRE
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 3 and 2 p.m. March 4 WHERE: KiMo Theater, 423 W. Central HOW MUCH: $17-$30, plus fees at kimotickets.com
Lewis Carroll created a whimsical world when he wrote “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
The novel has been interpreted and staged in numerous ways over time.
Ballet Repertory Theatre is bringing back its 2011 production of “Alice in Wonderland.”
“It’s a spectacle,” says Katherine Giese, BRT’s executive/artistic director. “When you see the set and all of the costumes., it’s magical.”
The ballet tells the tale of a young girl navigating a realized dream world. Alice navigates a realm of size-changing elixirs, an extraordinary tea party, and enraged monarchs as she attempts to find her way back up the rabbit hole.
“It’s a familiar tale that’s taken the form of a silent film, Disney movies and countless stage adaptations,” Giese says.
The ballet is choreographed by Alex Ossadnik and takes the audience on a journey through the adventures of Alice based on episodes in “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass.”
Using imaginative music by Herbert Baumann for the score, Ossadnik seamlessly joins the adventures using his unique choreographic style into this delightful full-length ballet.
Giese says BRT premiered the ballet in 2011.
The ballet caught the eye of Peter Anastos, Ballet Idaho’s artistic director. It was then produced in 2014 in Idaho.
The current cast features Erika Ray as Alice Kingsleigh, and Giacomo Zafarano will be reviving his role as the Mad Hatter. Emma Heuertz and Tomas Tafoya play the comedic rolls of the ruthless Red Queen of Hearts and her cowardly king, while Hannah Greig and Chris Bornet will be performing the “good supporters of Alice” as the White Queen and King.
“We know what to expect this time around,” Giese says. “We’ve streamlined a lot of it. We put some pieces together to make it better. Some of the costumes have changed a little, and the choreography has also been updated a little bit.”