Children and parents alike are familiar with the story of Alice in Wonderland, as it’s been remade again and again in various forms in the past century. To reinterpret the classic tale once more, a new perspective is essential.
Enter the creative mind of Michael Lang, artistic director and choreographer of the Toledo Ballet. This spring, the ten-year Broadway veteran will add Alice in Wonderland to his lengthy list of original productions. Lang is using his eclectic experience to his advantage, incorporating jazz, musical theater, ballet, and contemporary dance styles in this modern production about the loss of childhood innocence and the trials of growing up.
Carroll’s chaos
Though he claims it’s the most challenging show he’s done, Lang thinks Alice writer Lewis Carroll is a good fit for his aesthetic. The show will use shadow play and clever costume and set design to recreate the elements of Wonderland, such as the Rabbit Hole and Mad Tea Party. Representing the layers of symbolism and imagery of the story may be difficult, but Lang relishes not being limited by reality. “It doesn’t have to make sense, and it’s actually better if it doesn’t. It gives you a lot of freedom,” he remarked.
For a piece that’s been done so many ways, Lang said the most unique thing to do is stick to the book, a practice that deviates from its movie adaptations. “I want people to feel like they’ve literally opened up the book and just watched the chapters dance from page to page,” he said. Going chapter by chapter, the scenes are set to music from the Romantic era, when the story was written.
Though he remains true to the storyline, Lang admits to playing around with some scenes a bit to show off his dancers, many of whom are auditioning for professional companies. Two ballerinas, Semira Warrick and McKenzie Beaverson, are both students of the Ballet and will alternate playing the roles of Alice and the White Rabbit. Other characters will be played by talented volunteers who share a passion for the art of dance.
A fine line
Keeping the young audience in mind, Lang collaborates with some of his advanced performers in a weekly Dance Lab to get their input on the productions he so carefully creates. He’s aware that there’s a fine line between keeping a show artistic and getting cheesy, and while Alice lends itself to what he calls “musical theatre comedy,” using pratfalls and Three Stooges-type humor sparingly. His main priority is storytelling, and he often choreographs scenes before adding music to focus on the narrative, rather than the soundtrack.
Lang’s Alice in Wonderland appeals to all; kids love its playfulness, while adults can let their inner-child reignite. For those who aren’t familiar with the original novel, he hopes that seeing the ballet will provide an appreciation for the book. “I think seeing it come to life in front of your eyes will be a different experience,” Lang said. “It’s another way for people to connect with stuff, and I like that idea.”
Prepare for a little bit of whimsy and a lot of imagination.
7:30pm, Saturday, March 28 and 2pm, Sunday, March 29 at the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. Tickets available at valentinetheatre.com or 419-242-2787.
