WEST HAWAII TODAY | BIG ISLAND ENTERTAINMENT SCENE FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 | 5 T R E & A C A D E M Y P R E S E N T S Adventures in Wonderland’ last performance company before college. super fun because the the costumes are so and exciting,” she said. production brings to life the classic with a fresh twist Christopher Wheeldon’s The Royal Ballet’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” which premiered in 2011. It features the music of Joby Talbot and Carl Davis. “Of all the ballets I’ve seen, and there have been many, this is my favorite so far. Wheeldon is a brilliant choreographer and director. He adds a touch of contemporary in with classical, which I love. That’s how I like to choreograph,” said Chapman, also noting the production is her first foray into directing. “When I first saw the ballet, I was struck with the originality. There was video added in with interesting set and props. It was just one of those productions that made me really excited and stuck with me.” Chapman, a dance instructor/ performer/choreographer who began her journey with the nonprofit theater in 1998, also put her own touch on the three-act production, adding more dance styles. “It’s not strictly ballet. Our Hatter, for example, is The Mad Tapper,” she said. She also created an original character, Zoolily Fancypants. “It was a blast writing a zany script for this childlike wonderland character,” she said. Playing Zoolily Fancypants is 15-year-old Kira Kane. Her job is to be essentially a narrator, who sets the place and scene. “You’re coming whether you like it or not,” Kane said to prospective attendees, embracing her role fullheartedly. “You’re going to come and follow along with these characters.” And, Chapman worked in some subtle changes to the story, including the creation of an original piece called “The River,” where Alice can take a break from the busyness in Wonderland to find peace and joy to continue her journey, instead of the “Pool of Tears.” “Although we used our initial inspiration from Christopher Wheeldon’s version of Alice, it was important to me to bring my own spin on it. There are parts of the original story where I wanted to make some subtle changes that would cause the audience to think and reflect,” she explained. Tickets range in price from $23 to $28 and can be purchased online at www.kahilutheatre.org. MEET THE TOP: The Tea Cakes rehearse for the West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy production of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” ABOVE: Soleil Fitz-Gerald is the March Hare. CAST Addison Schussler Pargett), Mad Tapper (Rayna Morphis), Alice (Catie rehearse the West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy May 27 in Waimea. PHOTOS BY LAURA RUMINSKI/WEST HAWAII TODAY
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