“Alice in Wonderland,” Kauai Dance Theatre’s spring concert, is Saturday, May 18, with shows at 2:30 and 5 p.m. at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Delight in the antics of the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and all the characters as Alice weaves her way through Wonderland.
Told through dance and mime, the concert’s story is based on the characters, scenes and settings of Lewis Carroll’s classic tales.
Temporarily suspend your disbelief and enjoy the magic!
Tickets at the door are $12 with children ages 3 and younger free. A portion of the concession proceeds will benefit St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church’s Loaves and Fishes food pantry.
TGIFR!DAY visited with Janie Crane, director of Kauai Dance Theatre, about the performance.
Can you share a few comments about this production, why you wanted to do “Alice in Wonderland,” what you like about it, what this means to you and your dancers?
‘Alice in Wonderland’ can be perceived as a puzzling story with odd situations, but for that reason it lends itself well to interpretation through dance and mime. Students enjoy putting on story productions, so from time to time we do that. While the situations in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” seem rather bizarre, life lessons can be recognized.
The Sassy Flowers shun Alice until a tiny Pink Posy scolds them, tells them that bullying is not OK, then demands they apologize and invite Alice to dance with them in the garden. The Cheshire Cat’s statement (paraphrased from the book), “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there,” encourages us to take control of the direction of our lives to reach our goals. The Queen of Hearts, while portrayed as a self-absorbed character, does exude confidence, and exclaims (in the book), “…remember who you are!”
You give all proceeds to St. Michael’s. Have you always given the proceeds to nonprofits, and could you share a comment about why that’s important to you as well?
We do give a portion of the spring concert proceeds to a local nonprofit organization. While the Loaves and Fishes food pantry has been the recipient of show proceeds several times, the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Kauai Humane Society, Menehune Chef, Hale Opio and others have also been recipients over the years. Our December showcase has usually benefited the Zonta Club Christmas Fund.
It is a privilege to be able to share my love of dance with students, and it is a privilege for the students to be able to study dance. Not all families are so fortunate, so it is important for KDT to be a supporting member of our Kauai community.
For more information, visit KauaiDanceTheatre.com or contact Crane, 332-9737.
“Delight in the antics of the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and all the characters as Alice weaves her way through Wonderland.”
Experience the rabbit hole yourself–visit the county council or planning commission in action when you have a chance.
RG DeSoto