Joseph Hallmann

Re-imagining Wonderland

written 2010

co-commissioned by Art of Elan and the Colette Harding Contemporary Dance Company

premiered April 16, 2010, San Diego, CA

For inquiries, please visit the contact page on Joseph Hallmann’s website.

Program notes:

ALICE is a unique work: Not only is it a work that incorporates dance ( 7 dancers), it also includes dramaturgy, through the use of an Actor/Narrator. It is scored for an equally unique chamber music ensemble (7 musicians), consisting of flute, alto sax, percussion (marimba, kick drum, cymbals, roto-toms, slide whistle, among other instruments), harp, violin, viola, and double bass. ALICE follows, loosely, the story of “The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll, written in 1865. The overarching structure of the piece is based on the story’s overall dramatic form. It begins with the poem that opens the Lewis Carroll text, and ends with the poem that opens the second book, “Through the Looking Glass.” I adapted the text from the chapters we used for the Narrator’s role. This is a tricky role - combining rhythmic chanting at some points and free recitation of poetry at others. The Narrator must inhabit each character-sometimes only for a spilt second! These same characters are mirrored in the dancers as well, and the role of Alice is developed throughout the entire work, as it is in the story.