Colorado Ballet's ALICE (IN WONDERLAND) Begins Tonight

DENVER - Colorado Ballet will fall down the rabbit hole for the Colorado premiere of ALICE (in wonderland) tonight, February 19, through February 28, 2016 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Based on Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with characters from "Through the Looking-Glass," the ballet includes choreography by Septime Webre and music by Matthew Pierce, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

"This isn't your typical, classical storybook children's ballet," said Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs. "ALICE (in wonderland) is a charming theatrical extravaganza with colorful costumes, whimsical sets and a wide variety of dance styles. Come watch the adventures of this beloved literary heroine in a strange land filled with eccentric characters including the frantic White Rabbit, mysterious Cheshire Cat, peculiar Mad Hatter, terrifying Jabberwock and the wicked Queen of Hearts."

ALICE first premiered with The Washington Ballet in 2012. While developing the ballet, Webre worked closely with the composer to give each character a unique sound. The original score also includes many musical sound effects. Additionally, the production features a variety of costumes by Liz Vandal, who designed costumes for Cirque du Soleil's "OVO." Up close, the designs and shapes on many of the costumes spell out the characters' names, including Alice and the Mad Hatter. ALICE also features many large sets and puppets, including a Jabberwock with a 25-foot wing span.

Webre starts his interpretation of the story with the real Alice, Alice Liddell. The ballet begins with Alice at home with her family and family friend, Lewis Carroll, an amateur photographer and storyteller. Real characters from Alice's life become the characters in Carroll's story in Wonderland. Alice's mother becomes the Queen of Hearts, her sisters become Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and Lewis Carroll becomes the Mad Hatter.

ALICE will feature Colorado Ballet Principal Dancer Sharon Wehner in the main cast as Alice. Wehner is in the middle of her 20th season with Colorado Ballet. "It's a role that's made for Sharon," said Boggs. "She has all the right attributes to portray the role and she looks like Alice. Her temperament is exceptional for dancing that character."

In addition to Company and Studio Company dancers, students from Colorado Ballet Academy will perform in the production as baby flamingos, hedgehogs, cards, piglets, daisies and doors.

"This tale is so popular among children and adults and it is a story that Colorado Ballet has never performed before," said Boggs. "The sets, costumes and music will amaze everyone in the audience and the challenging choreography will leave patrons breathless. Some of the dancers' feet don't ever seem to touch the ground. This is a ballet that you will not want to miss."

Performance Dates and Times:

Friday, February 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Friday, February 26, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $155. To purchase tickets, visit www.coloradoballet.org or call 303-837-8888 ext. 2.

About Colorado Ballet

Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 55 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Community Engagement programs. Visit www.coloradoballet.org.

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