Alice in Wonderland (an original ballet)
Tickets available April 20
A testimonial from Brian Shyer
"Boundless kudos and heartiest congratulations to the Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center for their marvelous ballet "Alice In Wonderland" performed in the Scherr Forum at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on June 26, 2011.
The great genius and truly American composer Leroy Anderson must be smiling down from heaven at the supremely creative and effective way so many of his wondrous compositions were utilized during the ballet.
Betsy Melber, the founder and director of Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center, along with her very talented fellow choreographers and instructors, are to be praised and thanked for the pure inspiration, delightful imagination, love, talent, humor, and creativity that went into making "Alice In Wonderland" the outstanding success and audience pleaser it is.
Mrs. Melber is an incredibly talented, gifted, gracious and giving person. The glorious use of Anderson's music was well- planned, choosing it for scenes that ran the gamut of nostalgic, reflective, poignant and tender, and then juxtaposing them with scenes of humor, hilarity and all-out show business pizazz.
The choreography is visually enjoyable:exciting, fun and fresh and as original as Leroy Anderson's music itself ! Dance patterns and movements are always entertaining: wonderfully interesting and intriguingly unusual and unexpected.
All the artists participating in this highly original ballet ( down to the youngest dancer ) are extremely talented, energetic, graceful, well-focused and disciplined. They also seem to be having lots of fun and eager to entertain the audience. They did this with ultimate capability, style and humor. They all worked well with each other ( their fellow performers ) and never forgot while doing so to keep that special connection to the audience throughout the performance.
Whether or not these young people go into the performing arts professionally is not the main issue. The love, respect and training they are receiving is quite evident. The Agoura Hills Dance Program introduces each of the to a source for building discipline and confidences and enhances their lives immeasurably by having them work with, and alongside, their peers and presenting themselves in front of an audience: the public. Most importantly, it also provides the dancers a perfect way to express themselves.
Besides the superior performances, the production is totally professional in every way, including the picturesque scenic design, perfect mood-setting lighting and rich, clear sound, beautiful costumes and the special effects and props.
As an actor who has appeared on Broadway, a composer, and Performing Arts Instructor for over 25 years, I have seen countless performances ranging from community productions to Broadway/London West End. Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center production of "Alice In Wonderland" is most definitely a "highlight" of all those performances I have witnessed. It has hear, soul, humor, and is magically entertaining. This is for the great benefit of every participant and audience member alike that has the good fortune of being part of, or able to see, their production. It will continue to be advantageous for the community at-large and beyond.
Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center admirably displays what has been said to be the four disciplines of performing arts: they entertain us, educate us about the world, let us see our world in a different way and help us record our world for future generations.
My best wishes for continued success."
The great genius and truly American composer Leroy Anderson must be smiling down from heaven at the supremely creative and effective way so many of his wondrous compositions were utilized during the ballet.
Betsy Melber, the founder and director of Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center, along with her very talented fellow choreographers and instructors, are to be praised and thanked for the pure inspiration, delightful imagination, love, talent, humor, and creativity that went into making "Alice In Wonderland" the outstanding success and audience pleaser it is.
Mrs. Melber is an incredibly talented, gifted, gracious and giving person. The glorious use of Anderson's music was well- planned, choosing it for scenes that ran the gamut of nostalgic, reflective, poignant and tender, and then juxtaposing them with scenes of humor, hilarity and all-out show business pizazz.
The choreography is visually enjoyable:exciting, fun and fresh and as original as Leroy Anderson's music itself ! Dance patterns and movements are always entertaining: wonderfully interesting and intriguingly unusual and unexpected.
All the artists participating in this highly original ballet ( down to the youngest dancer ) are extremely talented, energetic, graceful, well-focused and disciplined. They also seem to be having lots of fun and eager to entertain the audience. They did this with ultimate capability, style and humor. They all worked well with each other ( their fellow performers ) and never forgot while doing so to keep that special connection to the audience throughout the performance.
Whether or not these young people go into the performing arts professionally is not the main issue. The love, respect and training they are receiving is quite evident. The Agoura Hills Dance Program introduces each of the to a source for building discipline and confidences and enhances their lives immeasurably by having them work with, and alongside, their peers and presenting themselves in front of an audience: the public. Most importantly, it also provides the dancers a perfect way to express themselves.
Besides the superior performances, the production is totally professional in every way, including the picturesque scenic design, perfect mood-setting lighting and rich, clear sound, beautiful costumes and the special effects and props.
As an actor who has appeared on Broadway, a composer, and Performing Arts Instructor for over 25 years, I have seen countless performances ranging from community productions to Broadway/London West End. Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center production of "Alice In Wonderland" is most definitely a "highlight" of all those performances I have witnessed. It has hear, soul, humor, and is magically entertaining. This is for the great benefit of every participant and audience member alike that has the good fortune of being part of, or able to see, their production. It will continue to be advantageous for the community at-large and beyond.
Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center admirably displays what has been said to be the four disciplines of performing arts: they entertain us, educate us about the world, let us see our world in a different way and help us record our world for future generations.
My best wishes for continued success."
- Brian Shyer
Composer
Composer
