It was a long, strange trip through Wonderland for Alice on Monday in the Savannah Center.
Opening night of Evolution Dance’s “A Fractured Fairy Tale” was filled with wit, charm, colorful costumes and challenging dance routines. The show runs Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Part of the proceeds benefit Operation Helping Hand for veterans.
The stage was jumping with witches, scarecrows, wolves, pirates and a host of fairy tale characters. Dance styles included ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz, jive, ballroom and contemporary.
This story of Alice – played by Leslie Rosenberg– and her fairy tale brethren was funky, cool and funny. And it rocked.
“We wanted it to be a little different and have some fun,” said Diane Vargas, artistic director of Evolution. “I think we surprised some people tonight. It wasn’t our usual production.”
The fairy tales took unexpected twists and turns all night long.
For example, Little Red Riding Hood (Yuri Sohn), Goldilocks (Mollie McCarthy), and Dorothy (Mary Ann Dailey) went bopping through the forest while Sam the Sham and Pharaohs serenaded them with the old rocker, “Little Red Riding Hood.”
Another oldie, “Yakety Yak,” turned up when the evil , red-headed stepsisters — Jack Filkins and Carter Poust — made the poor Goldie, Red and Dorothy do the dirty work around their jailhouse.
Jack Filkins was a scarecrow flashing some contemporary, soulful moves to “Ease On Down the Road.”
Then there was the egomaniacal Captain Hook – Frank Olive – jamming with his gang of pirates: Elaine Bondie, Sheena Bright, Jacqie Davis, Judith Maguire, Dolores Pittaro, Violet Ray and Dianne Zuqnon.
Olive kept flashing his hook in front of the audience and seemed to delight torturing the goodies-goodies in fairy tale land.
Rapunzel – Paige Fleming – let down her, python-like golden locks as the song “Hair” blasted over the loudspeakers.
Kathy Chesley-Williams played the Queen of Hearts with panache, wearing a red and white glowing outfit, and carrying a staff topped off with a red heart.
There were some delicate, elegant dance routines.
Vargas was in masterful ballet form as Tinkerbell dancing to the song, “Smile.” Yuri Sohn showed graceful moves on “Young At Heart,” as a group of dancers in flowing gowns waltzed around stage. Judy Jonas was a delightful Sleeping Beauty, dancing to the song “Mr. Sandman” with Chip and Phip Fuller along with Frank Olive.
Sue Schuler was a tantalizing force throughout the show, playing a wicked witch who is transformed by Tinkerbell into a good witch. Other witches included Elaine Bondie, Jacqie Davis, Judith Maquire and Dianne Zuqnon.
And we can’t forget Alice – Leslie Rosenberg—and her bubbly little buddy the White Rabbit, played by Rose Bianchini. She sparkled with personality and humor all night long.
Toss in the Mad Hatter (Carter Poust), Snow White, (Rosie Theiss), Peter Pan, (Sheena Bright) and you have a gang of fantasy characters who, eventually all found their way to a happy ending.
This was a masterfully choreographed show by Vargas, along with Helene Yelverton and Cheri Lindell, with some help from Bonnie Felicicchia and Chesley-Williams.
