Monthly Archives: January 2015

CINCINNATI BALLET PRESENTS ALICE (in wonderland)
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in a dazzling world of wonder

CINCINNATI, OH. Cincinnati Ballet presents the return of the wildly popular ALICE (in wonderland) this Valentine’s Day weekend, February 13-15 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Audiences have five opportunities to see this bold, spectacular take on Lewis Carroll’s classic stories with live instrumentation by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

From the revolutionary vision of The Washington Ballet’s Septime Webre, ALICE (in wonderland) is refreshingly original, having premiered regionally in 2012, and showcases modern production elements such as elaborate, eye-popping scenery and characters who take flight. The production features gorgeous costumes by Liz Vandal and a commissioned score by Matthew Pierce. Cincinnati audiences may be familiar with Webre as the choreographer of Cincinnati Ballet’s praised production of Peter Pan, performed earlier this season. Liz Vandal is a celebrated costume designer whose unique, elaborate designs have graced the stage of Cirque du Soleil.

The original score was created for an ensemble orchestra, but Cincinnati audiences will experience a version that is expanded to utilize the breadth of the magnificent Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Webre worked closely with composer, Pierce, throughout the creative process to give each character its own unique musical sound effects, bringing each of the favorite characters to life on stage. The vibrant cast is comprised of a combination of Cincinnati Ballet dancers, children from the Otto M. Budig Academy and even some larger than life puppets. When paired with Pierce’s unique score, they are sure to pull the audience right down the rabbit hole with Alice.

“‘Alice’ is a treat. A triumph. A blockbuster, too,” writes Cincinnati Enquirer Contributor, David Lyman. “…Smart, wildly entertaining, occasionally dark, this is the sort of production that reassures you that what some think of as an archaic art form has a lively, intriguing future.”

STORY
Webre, with his typical flair for storytelling, draws inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s classic tales Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There. A polite and well-mannered child, Alice finds herself in a fantastical but irreverent world where the rules of social etiquette don’t matter and time is irrelevant. She learns how to adapt to this new world and eventually becomes the heroine that brings down the Queen of Hearts and her house of cards.

Webre’s unique take results in an unusual twist. As Alice chases the White Rabbit into Wonderland, the wacky characters she discovers are oddly familiar. Although she can’t quite make the connection, the audience discovers that Alice’s overbearing mother has become the Queen of Hearts, her sisters have become Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and Lewis Carroll has become the Mad Hatter.

Visually stunning and filled with wonder, Webre’s vibrant new take on Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece is an experience not to be missed!

MEET THE ARTISTS
Cincinnati Ballet is pleased to offer Meet the Artists, a pre-performance discussion series where audiences will have the opportunity to meet choreographers, dancers and members of the creative team. This event is free to anyone with an ALICE (in wonderland) ticket, and will take place February 13 at 7 pm in Procter & Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Center. Attendees must present ALICE (in wonderland) ticket for admission.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet

Music: Matthew Pierce, performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carmon DeLeone • Costumes: Liz Vandal • Scenery: James Kronzer • Puppets: Erik Van Wyk • Lighting: Clifton Taylor • Costumes and Scenery: Courtesy of The Washington Ballet

WHAT: ALICE (in wonderland)

WHEN:

• Friday, February 13 – 8:00 pm
• Saturday, February 14 – 2:00 pm
• Saturday, February 14 – 8:00 pm
• Sunday, February 15 – 1:00 pm
• Sunday, February 15 – 5:30 pm

WHERE: Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

HOW: Call 513.621.5282, visit cballet.org or visit the Cincinnati Ballet Box Office at 1555 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214

Tickets start at $32

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ALICE (in wonderland) Sponsors: Dinsmore & Shohl, The H.B., E.W., & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-trustees, Moe & Jack Rouse, Ernst & Young, Trish & Rick Bryan, Rosemary & Mark Schlachter, Thompson Hine

Cincinnati Ballet 2014-2015 Season Sponsors: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, ArtsWave, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley Family Foundation, Rosemary & Mark Schlachter, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Frisch’s, Cincinnati Enquirer

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations with artists as diverse as Grammy winning guitarist Peter Frampton and popular, Ohio-based band Over the Rhine. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of

dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and offers top level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

CONNECT: READ / WATCH / LISTEN / LEARN / ENJOY at cballet.org

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