Evanston Dance Ensemble is taking audiences on a magical journey for the third time, reprising its popular production of “Alice in Wonderland,” March 10-13, at Northwestern University’s Josephine Louis Theater.
“We like to bring the shows that are narrative in structure back around every few years,” explained Bea Rashid, co-artistic director of Evanston Dance Ensemble with Christina Ernst.
“This is a show everybody knows,” Ernst added.
The original production was choreographed by Rashid and Ernst with additional choreography created by Julie Cartier, Mike Gosney, Stephanie Paul, Allison Kurtz Volkers and Meghann Wilkinson. It premiered in 2003 and was reprised in 2009.
There’s a new set this time around. “We’re using primarily projections in this production whereas in the past we had three dimensional set pieces,” Rashid noted. That’s necessitated by the fact that the Louis Theater stage isn’t as deep as previous venues.
The major roles are double-cast, including the part of Alice, who is played by two Evanston Township High School students, junior Olivia Mitchell and senior Sophie Gray-Gaillard.
Mitchell has taken classes at Dance Center Evanston, the home base of the Evanston Dance Ensemble, since she was 5. She spends 16-20 hours per week at the center.
Gray-Gaillard has studied at Dance Center Evanston since she was 4, and also puts in a huge amount of time at the studio.
“Alice is a curious little girl who is very intrigued by unusual things,” Mitchell said. “When she goes down this rabbit hole, she finds a whole world of unusual things.”
“It has been a really fun part for me and, I think, Sophie as well,” the dancer said. “We’re meeting all these amazing characters, learning all these different styles and experiencing so many different things.” .
“It’s a really, really fun show,” agreed Gray-Gaillard, noting that it’s her last time performing with Evanston Dance Ensemble, whose members range in age from 12-18.
The part of the Mad Hatter, which has previously been played by a professional dancer, is being danced by talented EDE company member Sidney Chuckas, an Evanston Township High School junior.
To help audience members follow Alice’s journey, Mia Weinberger voices Alice’s words and Tracy Egan does narration.
Audiences will hear the original score — with a number of sections by Rashid’s husband Steve Rashid — as well as the gorgeous costumes designed by Kitty Schweitzer.
“There are a lot of different flavors,” Ernst noted. “This show is a really exciting ballet. There’s percussive dancing, tap dancing, modern dancing, ballet, acting. It’s a very rich production.”
Evanston Dance Ensemble presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’
When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 10 and 11; 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 12-13
Where: Josephine Louis Theater, Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
Tickets: $24; $16 children, students and seniors
Information: (847) 491-7282; www.communication.northwestern.edu/wirtz/dance
