Eastside’s Metro Dancers take ‘Alice in Wonderland’ downtown

See why this group, which usually performs at their studio in the Gateway area, is now heading to the Newmark Theater on April 5 …

The White Rabbit (Riley Willis); two Tweedles (Annie Willis and Sophie Gunz); and the Cheshire Cat (Emily Sevy) suspect they might be late to a very important date!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Metro Dancers, part of Portland Metro Performing Arts Center (PMPA), have been rehearsing and polishing their parts as they get ready for their production of “Alice in Wonderland” this weekend.

All of Lewis Carroll’s beloved characters from his two marvelous books, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass”, will be on stage in this unique music and ballet production.

The White Queen (Meng Paulson) dances her part with grace and ease.

“Remember the busy White Rabbit, the mysterious Cheshire Cat, and the domineering Queen of Hearts?” asks PMPA’s executive director, Nancy Yeamans, as we watch some of the production numbers being rehearsed.

“They’re all here! It’s an absolutely wonderful, fun visual feast for kids and adults. It’s got spectacular music, and it has outrageously wonderful costumes done by fabric artists.”

Red Queen is played by grade school teacher Karin Schulz; her class will be coming to see her. Her dancing partner is the Red King (Dave Larison).

Audience members will go on a visit to the Tea Party, the Chess Game, the Nursery Book, and the Garden of Live Flowers. Watch as Alice tries to play her way through a game of croquet with flamingoes for mallets, and some uncooperative playing cards as wickets. Winning is losing, in the illogical logic of Wonderland.

There are still seats available, but this show isn’t at the PMPA hall in Gateway.

This production will be presented onstage April 5 at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway St. at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20 for high school age kids and adults; $14 for children

For more information, see www.pdxmetroarts.org or call (503) 408-0604.

Who is winning this dizzy chess game? In Wonderland, it makes no difference – it’s all for fun!

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