‘Alice in Wonderland’ to bring dreamland
CALIFORNIA – California University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Theatre and Dance and the Mon-Valley Ballet Theatre will present “Alice In Wonderland.” This classic children’s tale by Lewis Carroll is set to a score by Strauss, and has new choreography by Nigel Burgoine, the artistic director of the Toledo Ballet. The White Rabbit, along with Alice, take a journey to a dreamland field with dancing lobsters, a giant caterpillar and a beautiful garden of flowers.
Alice encounters the Cheshire Cat, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, The Mad Hatter with his insane tea party and The Queen of Hearts and her court of life-sized cards. Dancing the lead role of tall Alice is Mon Valley favorite Maria Gismondi, a senior education/theatre major from Elco.
Kris Pramuk, a California graduate, will be dancing the role of the White Rabbit with Cristy Kopec, also a California graduate, dancing the role of the evil Queen of Hearts. The Mad Hatter role will be danced by Mon Vallet Ballet Theatre veteran and newly appointed Liberal Arts grants writer, Raphael Maldonado-Lopez.
Other memorable characters will be danced by Cal U students including junior Kelly Potchak of New Enterprise, junior Sara Shincovich of Greensburg, junior Pete DiMario of Philadelphia, junior J.P. Staszel of Scottdale and freshman Brent Shultz of Waynesburg. Returning to dance the role of the Knave of Hearts is guest artist Andrew Drost from New York.
Acting Artistic Director Donna Marovic-Anthony is overseeing the production with assistance from founding Artistic Director Dr. Richard Helldobler, interim dean, of the College of Liberal Arts. A colorful set and lights have been designed by William O’Donnell and technical direction is by Malcolm Callery.
Production stage manager is Barb Slavin with junior Sascha Newburg of Philadelphia, serving as assistant stage manager. This show is suitable for all ages. Performance dates will be Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. in Steele Auditorium on the campus of California University of Pennsylvania.
Tickets are available at $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children under 12. Students with a valid CalU ID are admitted free. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For more information, call the box office at 724-938-5943.
Contact Department of Theatre and Dance
J.P. Staszel Theatre and Dance PR Intern
724.938.4220
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