Refine Arts' BEFORE NEVER to Launch Frenetic Theater's 2016 Season

Frenetic Theater's Artist Board program kicks off the 2016 season with the presentation of Refine Arts' BEFORE NEVER, a dark dance narrative that re-imagines J.M. Barrie's beloved Peter Pan stories.

Under the artistic direction of Melody Johnson, Refine Arts specializes in retelling familiar classics for an edgy, contemporary audience of all ages.

Refine Arts presented its first production, Reconstructing Alice, at Frenetic Theater in November 2015. Reconstructing Alice invited audiences into a warped rendering of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland and challenged preconceived notions of Alice as innocent, childlike protagonist. In curating Frenetic Theater's 2016 Artist Board, Executive Director Adam Castaneda saw the young company as a natural fit.

"FrenetiCore was working on our version of Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen at the same time Reconstructing Alice was going up in the space. I was struck by how Melody was able to refashion this familiar tale through dance while staying true to the character arcs of the original. I'm excited to have Refine Arts back in the space and to see Melody continue to shape her choreographic voice."

BEFORE NEVER is a dark, twisted version of the Peter Pan universe that subverts traditional readings of J.M. Barrie's characters, especially the relationship between Pan and Hook. Before Never is a cirque-style production featuring aerial choreography by guest artist Reyie Delgado, artistic director of Cirque La Vie. Johnson's reworking pays homage to Barrie's legacy by continuing to celebrate childhood and finding magical spaces within the creative imagination.

The production runs March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. (3 p.m. on April 3) at Frenetic Theater, 5102 Navigation Boulevard. Tickets: $15 adults/$10 students. For tickets and more information, visit www.freneticore.net.