The director of blockbuster films such as “Batman,” “Beetle Juice,” “Sleepy Hollow” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Tim Burton paints an eerie, surreal scene that’s one part cartoon, one part nightmare. Advertisements now preface his work with the phrase, “From the magic of Tim Burton … .”
The descriptor is fitting.
Now showing at The Kennedy Center, from the magic of Tim Burton: “Edward Scissorhands.”
“Scissorhands,” based on his 1990 motion picture and devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, offers Burton magic in spades. All of the show’s characters exhibit a quirky, plastic-like quality. The colors are vibrant, the stuff of fantasies. And the stage is a vivid Neverland — an elaborate splashy set that involves many large-scale changes. Particularly impressive is when the cartoonish town, after settling down for the night once the last light flickers off, greets a new shining day as the morning sun greets dawn and the scene first becomes awash with color.
The costumes as well done, too. Edward’s (Sam Archer) trademark spiky hair, long knifelike fingers and brown leather bodysuit are back again, as is his ghostly white face. Note also when the garden foliage almost literally comes to life, as a group of dancers — or what we assume to be dancers — prance about the stage while completely enveloped in greenery.
The weight of Burton’s magic fog is so heavy that all else comes close to drowning. As a traditional “ballet,” this performance seems lackluster. The serviceable dancing isn’t moving in terms of artistry or technical skill; what is grabbing, though, is the high level of choreography and physical comedy. The show has been orchestrated, down to the facial expression in an army-of-ants way that’s both fun to watch and awesome to comprehend. But as for emotional, moving moments? The dancing leaves the heart unstirred.
The music is nice as well, including themes from the original motion picture by equally unique musical film composer Danny Elfman. But while the offbeat, lively tunes match the odd tone well, the music plays a secondary role in the show. The pit orchestra was easily forgotten below the stage; there were moments where, had the sound filled The Kennedy Center Opera House, the experience would have been more powerful.
Still, this family-friendly event breaks the mold of rigid, classical ballets as they are best known. “Edward Scissorhands” is unique and fantasy-filled — an end-of-show moment captures this idea entirely — and delivers what it promises. If you come with light-hearted purpose — and who would come to “Edward Scissorhands” expecting anything different? — you’ll happily see movie magic in motion.
If you go
» “Edward Scissorhands”
Venue: The Kennedy Center Opera House
Performances: 7:30 p.m., through Sunday; 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: $29 to $84
More info: kennedy-center.org
