Christopher Wheeldon’s *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* isn’t just ballet—it’s a full-blown sensory explosion. The Joffrey Ballet’s latest production takes Lewis Carroll’s surreal classic and turns it into a dazzling, boundary-pushing spectacle that feels more like a Broadway-meets-circus fever dream than traditional dance. And honestly? We’re obsessed.
### **A Ballet That Doesn’t Play by the Rules**
Wheeldon, known for his genre-defying work, doesn’t just adapt *Alice*—he reinvents it. This isn’t your grandmother’s *Swan Lake*. Instead, expect gravity-defying lifts, slapstick humor, and a Cheshire Cat that slinks across the stage in a way that’s equal parts eerie and mesmerizing. The choreography blends classical technique with theatrical flair, making it accessible for ballet newbies while still wowing purists.
### **A Visual Feast (Seriously, the Costumes Alone!)**
The production’s bold, hyper-saturated color palette isn’t just pretty—it’s storytelling. The Queen of Hearts’ blood-red court, the neon Wonderland mushrooms, Alice’s shifting blue dress—every hue is intentional, pulling the audience deeper into the madness. Critics are raving about the design, and it’s easy to see why: this is ballet as high-fashion fantasy.
### **Why This Matters for Dance in 2025**
Ballet sometimes gets a rep for being stuffy or elitist, but *Alice* smashes that notion. With its mix of humor, acrobatics, and sheer spectacle, it’s proof that classical dance can be wildly entertaining without losing its artistry. The Joffrey’s gamble on Wheeldon’s vision pays off, making *Alice* one of the most talked-about productions of the year.
**Final Verdict:** If you think ballet can’t be fun, *Alice* will change your mind. It’s weird, wonderful, and absolutely worth the hype. Now, when do we get a sequel in Looking-Glass Land?
