Evanston Dance Ensemble, the youth dance company in residence at Dance Center Evanston, is bringing its creative “Alice in Wonderland,” to the stage, March 10-13, at Northwestern University’s Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive.
In this season’s re-interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s 151-year-old “Alice,” co-artistic directors Bea Rashid and Christina Ernst have increased the technical aspects of the choreography to challenge their 12- to-18-year-old dancers and have given the production a more contemporary feel by adding new scenes, new choreography and new characters.
It is the third time in its 18-year history that EDE has staged “Alice” but the first time an EDE company member has been chosen to appear as the Mad Hatter. Evanston Township High School junior Sidney Chukas will dance the role formerly danced by a professional guest artist.
“We’ve kept the wonderful elements of our original production – the breathtaking costumes, the beautiful scenery, the original score – but we’re continuing to build on the experience of our talented corps of dancers,” says EDE founder Béa Rashid.
The EDE “Alice” features a wide range of creative, rhythmic choreography from professional artists Mike Gosney of Elements Contemporary Ballet, Allison Kurtz Volkers of ed2 and Dance Center Evanston, Meghann Wilkinson of Lucky Plush Productions, Julie Cartier of The Cartier Collective and Stephanie Paul of Be the Groove.
Professional dancer Glenn Leslie, founder of Classic Jazz and Tap, will dance the
role of the King of Hearts.
Enhancing the magical world of “Alice” will be new set designs from Sarah Watkins, projections from Joseph Burke and lighting design by Becca Jeffords in addition to the colorful costumes of designer Kitty Schweitzer.
“Alice in Wonderland” opens March 10 at 7 p.m., with additional shows on March 11 at 7 p.m. and March 12 and 13 at 1 and 4 p.m.; Tickets are $16 for children under 18, students and seniors, and $24 for adults. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Northwestern Box Office at 847-491-7282 or at tic.northwestern.edu.