Cheshire Chat

Artistic Associate Anthony Fleming III on his sixth time down the rabbit hole with Lookingglass Alice

From The Lookingglass Alice 2008 Issue of ArtAntica
Mentioned in this entry: Anthony Fleming III, David Catlin, Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi and Larry DiStasi

Anthony Fleming III
as the Cheshire Cat

You were in the original cast when Lookingglass Alice was first produced at Lookingglass in 2005. What attracted you to the show?

My first two shows with the company, RACE and 1984, were not as physical as many other Lookingglass shows. They both had physical elements incorporated into the performances, but nothing like what I envisioned Alice would be. So when Alice came around I was primed and ready to "flex my circus muscles!" "Cat Daddy,” or David Catlin as some call him, hand-selected the cast for Alice. No one auditioned. He chose five people who possessed certain skills, and through many workshops and training sessions, developed the show. I knew that it would be a very challenging show to do but I also knew that I would learn so much from the cast, Sylvia [Hernandez-DiStasi, artistic director of the Actors Gym and Lookingglass Alice choreographer], and Catlin.

The success of Lookingglass Alice led the show on tour to New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. Now, in its sixth production in three years, Alice returns home. How does it feel to be back at the Water Tower Water Works mainstage?

The tour, my first ever, was GREAT! To bring our little show to other cities and stages was an amazing experience, but it is always cool to play in your own sandbox. This space is where the show was born. When we took it on tour we had to adapt it to fit in the particular space we were playing. Some things worked just as good or even better and some things were better at home. We learned a lot about the show, ourselves as an ensemble, and as individual performers. And to bring all of that experience back to our home space just makes the show stronger and better.

Anthony Fleming III as Tweedle Dee

This year the entire cast from the 2007 production are returning. What effect does this have on the rehearsal process?

It has been a great process because the entire band got back together. It was actually the deciding factor for me coming back and doing the show. We all have done the show together and know one another very well. We know how each of us moves. We know each other’s bodies and trust each other onstage. Off stage, Larry D. is never to be trusted. Ever.

Lookingglass Alice is a physically demanding show. What’s your daily routine like?

Push-ups. Every free moment I have, at home and at rehearsal, I fill it with a push-up. Alice is by far the most physically challenging show I have ever done. So I have to keep in the best shape I can to endure the run to minimize the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with the show. I workout at a gym at least five days a week and at home I do more stretching and core work. I try to eat right and take a vitamin or 17!

What can we expect from the latest Lookingglass Alice?

Another amazing trip down the rabbit hole!