Momix returns to Penn State with “Alice,” its newest illusory and kinetic dance-theater production, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

The dance company Momix, formed in 1981 by Pilobolus co-founder Moses Pendleton, is renowned for its feats of illusion built on the foundations of acrobatics, dance, mime and film.

“Alice,” though loosely based on Lewis Carroll’s mind-bending literature classic, tells a bizarre tale of underworld adventure using pure movement, music and multimedia effects. The sculptural performance features characters from the fantasy world, including an undulating caterpillar, a frenzied Queen of Hearts, a rabbit pack and, of course, Alice.

“Costumes, curated by Phoebe Katzin, are the outstanding feature of the show, elaborate and weirdly wonderful piece of arts that turn into something different, like the long coral skirts that when pulled up transform dancers into clams and lobsters,” wrote a reviewer for The Wonderful World of Dance.

Watch a preview of “Alice” here.

Paula Burns, Momix tour manager and dance captain, said she likes to remind the audience to think back to how life was before “adulting” set in.

“When you go to the theater, ... you really are transformed into a world of magic, and even brought back into childhood, into imagination and playfulness,” she said in a Center for the Performing Arts artist visit. “I think that’s so important, because we’re always surrounded by responsibilities and all of these different things, and to be able to kind of retreat back into a childlike state or even one of imaginative life is really important.”

In addition to her company roles, Burns said the variety in her dance roles helps to maintain her energy and invigorate theatergoers for a creative and surreal experience.

“I’m Alice, I’m a rabbit, I’m the Mad Queen, I’m one of the creatures in the garden of living things, so I’m all different things,” she said. “Which also kind of gives us a really immersive experience as performers in the show, to not just have one role, but to change character, to change dynamic, and to feed off the energy of each other and the audience.”

Tickets

Tickets are $52 for an adult, $14 for a University Park student, and $19 for a person 18 and younger and are available for purchase online. Tickets are also available by calling 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium.

You can avoid the $4-per-ticket online service fee by calling 814-863-0255; or buying in person from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Pre-performance reception

All ticketholders are invited to a free, pre-performance reception in the Eisenhower Auditorium Conference Room hosted by Penn Highlands Healthcare.

Visit Momix “Alice” online at https://cpa.psu.edu/events/mom... for more information.