Weekend entertainment ranges from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to an internet-famous cellist

Molly Gilmore
·3 min read

‘Alice’ en pointe

Studio West Dance Theatre’s “Alice in Wonderland” — with performances Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22 — is quirky, and not only because of such peculiar characters as the caterpillar, the Cheshire cat and Tweedledee and Tweedledum. The production, which the company debuted in 2014, isn’t a traditional ballet but rather an original one that uses as a wide array of music to tell the iconic story. “We gave ourselves the freedom to choose music that (suited) each scene or character, no matter the genre,” artistic director Stephanie Wood-Ennett said in a news release. “Each scene stands alone, and yet they all fit perfectly together to allow this wacky story to unfold in unexpected ways.” This production, featuring 115 dancers, incorporates new scenery and new characters. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $18-$30. The company is also hosting two pre-show children’s tea parties, featuring stories, crafts and treats, at 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday. Party tickets are $15 for children, with accompanying adults admitted free.

Women wearing ‘Breeches’

Shakespeare meets the World War II home front in “Into the Breeches,” opening Friday, April 21, at Olympia Little Theatre. The 2018 comedy by George Brant follows the exploits of a group of women who decide to forge ahead with a production of the Bard’s “Henry” plays even though all the men slated to direct and act are at war. The characters in the “Henry” plays are, of course, at war, too, which adds to the play-within-a-play genre. Kathy Dorgan directs Meghan Goodman, Kim Holm, Russ Holm, Karen Longo, Drew Doyle, Andrea Weston-Smart, Anne Tracy and Hannah Eklund. Performances are at 7:25 p.m. April 21-22 and 29-30 and May 4-6 and 1:55 p.m. April 23 and 30 and May 7 at Olympia Little Theatre, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia. Tickets are $9-$15. Masks are required.

Drew Doyle and Andrea Weston-Smart in Olympia Little Theatre’s production of “Into the Breeches.”
Drew Doyle and Andrea Weston-Smart in Olympia Little Theatre’s production of “Into the Breeches.”

Artists at work

Arts Walk isn’t until next weekend, but there’s an abundance of art on tap this weekend, too, thanks to the South Sound Studio Tour. The free event offers access to 21 Olympia area studios, many of which aren’t normally open to the public, and showcases work by at least 37 artists. Among the well-known artists showing their work on the tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23, are ceramic artist Joe Batt, known for his anthropomorphic rabbits and other dreamlike scenes; Sandra Bocas, whose often brilliantly colored faces suggest hidden depths; Lynette Charters, whose Missing Women series has earned her national attention; and Kathy Gore Fuss, known for her plein aire landscapes and her floral installations. Printable tour maps are available online.

Joe Batt, whose playful sculptures include “The Cavalcade of Wolves on Bikes and Trikes,” will open his studio to the public during the free South Sound Studio Tour, happening April 22 and 23.
Joe Batt, whose playful sculptures include “The Cavalcade of Wolves on Bikes and Trikes,” will open his studio to the public during the free South Sound Studio Tour, happening April 22 and 23.

Orchestra tackles ‘Dragon’

The Olympia Symphony Orchestra wraps up conductor Alexandra Arrieche’s debut season Sunday, April 23 with a program featuring Tan Dun’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” cello concerto with Internet sensation Nathan Chan of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Also on the program is the orchestra’s first performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan,” featuring the largest ensemble of OSO musicians ever assembled on the stage of The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The concert begins at 3 p.m. at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $15-$65.

Cellist Nathan Chan, who plays with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and has become an Internet sensation, will play with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, April 23.
Cellist Nathan Chan, who plays with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and has become an Internet sensation, will play with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, April 23.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore is ready for Arts Walk and happy to visit artists in their studios in the meantime. She talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.