Elizabethton dancer portrays ‘Red Queen’ in City Youth Ballet’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’
Published 8:30 am Thursday, May 29, 2014
You might think you’re going to Milligan College’s Gregory Arts Center for Liberal Arts to see a ballet later this week.
Chloe Garbe of Elizabethton, at far right, will be a featured dancer, portraying the Red Queen, when the City Youth Ballet of Johnson City presents “Alice in Wonderland” at the Gregory Center on the Milligan College Campus May 30 and 31. The production is the first of its kind in this region – Alice has never been performed as a ballet. Chloe is the daughter of Jim and Theresa Garbe.
But instead, you’ll be heading down a rabbit hole and into a land that includes a Mad Hatter, a Red Queen and a grinning Cheshire Cat.
A Wonderland, in fact.
With Elizabethton’s Chloe Garbe performing as the Red Queen, the City Youth Ballet will transport the audience to another world when it presents “Alice in Wonderland” Friday and Saturday.
“This production puts the fun in ballet, yet shows its power in telling this tale,” said Susan Pace-White, City Youth Ballet’s artistic director.
The ballet will be performed three times: May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and May 31 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Gregory Center.
The full-length production of “Alice in Wonderland” – the City Youth Ballet’s 150th – uses dance to explore Lewis Carroll’s well-loved tale, one in which ballerinas dance as playing cards, flamingos and even hedgehogs. The performance will include colorful costumes and whimsical scenery.
Guest artist Diamond LaGrave of the Pas De Vie Ballet Company of Tallahassee, Fla., will join the dancers as the Knave of Hearts. Hannah Thigpen, a Science Hill School student, portrays Alice while Sam Konstantopoulos, a homeschooled student, is the White Rabbit.
Garbe’s Red Queen is one of the leading roles in the ballet.
Tickets are available at Bear ‘n Friends in the Peerless Centre on North Roan Street in Johnson City, and at Party Central, also on North Roan and across from Cootie Browns. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children under 12. A limited number of reserved seats are available at Party Central for $18 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets also are available at the door. All ticket purchases must be made with cash or check.
For more information, call 434-2195. The City Youth Ballet website is www.cityyouthballet.org.
