15 June 2001

Family Fare: A Whirling Wonderland

by Laurel Graeber

If you've ever wondered what was inside the various treats consumed by Alice and the other characters in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," the New York Theater Ballet suggests a possible answer: caffeine.

Its latest family production, "The Alice-in-Wonderland Follies: A Ballet Vaudeville," is a giddy, rollicking ride through Lewis Carroll's storybooks, combining classical and not- so-classical dance with music-hall exuberance and pacing. At one point the White Rabbit (Terence Duncan) sips from a teacup and then jumps into a series of jazzy steps, as if he had just had an infusion of extra- strength java instead of Earl Grey.

Conceived and choreographed by Keith Michael, this world premiere is set in 1915 at the Palace Theater, where the imaginary occasion is a 50th-anniversary celebration of the publication of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Although children won't know this unless they read the program, they will certainly appreciate the vaudevillian staging, from the music (early 1900's tunes like "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" and "Glow Worm") to the pratfalls of the company members. (Tweedledum and Tweedledee begin with slapstick and end with acrobatics.)

Alice herself, jubilantly played by Christina Paolucci, emerges from a dollhouse, and the Cheshire Cat (Cynthia Sheppard) sports a 50-foot tail rather than a disappearing body. The tea party scene features adorable children from the Ballet School New York, all dressed as tables and wearing bonnets in the shape of teacups. And one little girl who plays the sneezing baby smiles blissfully as she is twirled round and round, held by one leg and one arm. (Roller- coaster addicts appear to envy her, even as their mothers blanch.)
A delightful hodgepodge, "The Alice-in-Wonderland Follies" even throws in a recitation of "Jabberwocky," done to a hand-slapping, foot-tapping routine that children will be tempted to join. They can also leave with the Carroll whimsy on as well as in their heads: each young fan receives a Red Queen's crown in the form of heart-shaped antennae.

"The Alice-in-Wonderland Follies," through Sunday at Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, Manhattan, (212) 355-6160. Today at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.; tomorrow and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Tickets: $25; ages 12 and under, $20; (fathers free on Sunday).

Really Wild Dads

Animals tend to be regarded as the original deadbeat dads. But while some male creatures are more interested in procreation than parenting, the wild kingdom still has its share of tender papas, which the Bronx Zoo will celebrate (along with their human counterparts) this weekend.

Male marmosets, for instance, may not be Lamaze partners, but they have been seen assisting in births as well as cradling their young. White-naped crane fathers share parenting duties, and even the crocodile will protect his offspring if it calls. "It's similar to a dad coming to pick up a crying baby," said Linda Corcoran, a zoo spokeswoman. Except in this case, she added, "the problem is a predator," not colic.

Children will be invited to celebrate Father's Day by making a mobile of animal dads. They can also hear LuAnn Adams tell interactive tales of furry and feathered fathers, listen to Annie and the Natural Wonder Band and have their faces painted as their favorite creatures.

You can't have fathers, of course, without little ones, and the zoo has plenty, including a rhinoceros, a gorilla, an okapi (a giraffelike species) and pygmy marmosets. At Baby Central, families can learn more about the zoo's breeding program, which is "about giving endangered species a chance to survive," Ms. Corcoran said.

"Animal Dads Weekend," tomorrow and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Reptile Court, Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road, Fordham, (718) 367-1010. Free with admission: $9; ages 2 to 12 and 65+, $5; under 2, free. Parking, $7.

Current Events

The Hudson River was first explored centuries ago, but that doesn't mean it can't offer surprises for contemporary voyagers. The Hudson River Park Trust has planned many for Sunday, the third annual Hudson River Park Day, from Pier 25, at North Moore Street, to Pier 84, at 44th Street.

The plan is to show "how diverse the park is and how much there is to do," said Alex Dudley, a spokesman for the trust.

The fair begins at Pier 25 with games, including a 40-by-40-foot checkerboard and a Hula Hoop contest. Next door, Pier 26 explores the river, with fun ranging from kayaking to wildlife tours.

At Pier 40 (Houston Street), the theme is boating, with a boat parade at 1 p.m., free cruises and tours of vessels from tugboats to fireboats. "I think the highlight will be the John J. Harvey Fireboat," Mr. Dudley said. "They put that on the river and set the water guns a-blazing - if it's possible for water guns to blaze."

Chelsea Waterside, at 23rd Street, offers a music picnic, with races, a water playground and world music. Even animals can join in, with a silly-pet-tricks competition and a pet-owner look-alike contest.

Finally, Pier 84 caters to landlubbers, with a gardening theme. Events include garden workshops, a butterfly release and a Father's Day Olympics at the Intrepid Sea-Air- Space Museum. There is also free transportation between Pier 40 and Pier 84: by ferry boat, of course.

Hudson River Park Day, Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Piers 25, 26, 40 and 84 and Chelsea Waterside. Free. Information: (212) 533-7275.

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