Colorado troupe turns stage into wonderland

In the middle of Colorado, far, far, from the Amazon rain forest, there’s a place where dazzling, colorful creatures pirouette before your eyes. A place where lemurs swing on vines, lizards scurry between orchid petals, and poison arrow frogs spring gracefully through the air.

It’s not the kind of place you expect to find in the middle of the Pikes Peak Center stage. But the unexpected is par for the course at the David Taylor Dance Theatre’s “A Children’s Rainforest Odyssey,” presented by the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration in collaboration with Colorado Springs Dance Theatre.

The one-hour contemporary ballet performance will be at the Pikes Peak Center at 7 p.m. today.

The show combines vivid choreography, beautiful costumes, and an original music score while delivering an important message about saving the rain forest.

“Dance is a very unique art form that says things in a way that other art forms can’t. A man or anyone else that hasn’t been to a performance will have a great experience during this show,” says Deborah Thornton, executive director of Imagination Celebration.

The David Taylor Dance Theatre is the only professional contemporary ballet company in Colorado. The company’s “Rainforest” production has earned it well-deserved national attention, and is the company’s most successful regular-season performance.

“A Children’s Rainforest Odyssey” is a shortened version that was created specifically for children and families.

Before the show, at 6:15 p.m. in the Pikes Peak Center’s Studio Bee, choreographer Taylor will lead a discussion about the performance. This is a rare opportunity for the public to hear what goes into creating such a dynamic production.

Hands-on arts and crafts activities for kids will begin in the lobby at 6 p.m. Everyone (adults included) is invited to come dressed for the night as their favorite rainforest creature.

To learn more about the magic of the rainforest, visit Celebration Place in The Citadel mall. Local artist Mary Helsaple has transformed the space into a rainforest wonderland with her lifesize murals. Helsaple has created a world where budding scientists can explore, young artists can create, and little dreamers can dream. The exhibit will remain open through the end of October. For more information, call Celebration Place at 387-9015.

details

“A Children’s Rainforest Odyssey” by the David Taylor Dance Theatre

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.

Cost: $10-$25; Pikes Peak Center Box Office, King Soopers, TicketsWest or 520-7469.