RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Shakespeare Dallas takes on the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland — but with a departure that stemmed from a happy accident.
The company’s production, which opened last weekend, embraces a fresh perspective with a touch of queer camp. The vibes are giving some drag eleganza as David Helms (he/him) serves up royal glam as the Queen of Hearts through July 17 at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater.
The thing is? That was not the part he was going for.
“I was actually surprised to get the call, but it was a wonderful surprise,” the 33-year-old actor said. “I went for a callback, and they needed someone to read for the Queen. So I stepped in.”
Mind you, Helms wasn’t auditioning for the part — he was merely being helpful.
“They seemed to enjoy it because they were laughing, and our director [Natalie Young] called and told me how, after I left the room, they were all like ‘Are we going to do this?’
“The role I was looking at was the Cheshire Cat, but when she offered the role [of Queen of Hearts], well, again, I was surprised.”
All the more surprising is that Helms describes the role as the opposite of who he is in real life. Still, he said, the queen is iconic. At the time of this interview, he was still finding her within himself during rehearsals.
“I knew it would be way too much fun to portray her. I get to do what I can to give her as much life as possible, and it’s been an interesting process,” he said.
Helms has researched previous versions of his character to put his own spin on her. That a man is cast in the role is a quirky tidbit, but it also offers Helms some creative decisions to properly put on the character.
In short, he doesn’t want to make her a caricature.
“There is this balance. I’m finding influences from movie and Disney versions, but then I began to consider some of my good friends who have had an influence on me and how they have this effervescent strength that I find fascinating,” he said. “I started imbuing that into her with this idea that I want her to be that type that enters a room and turns heads.”
That being said, costuming wouldn’t be your typical garb the Queen would wear.
According to Helms, the creative team opted to veer away from grand gowns or big collars.
To properly costume her, they had to tackle the idea of where this Queen landed on the gender spectrum.
“Although I am a male, I felt she should still be more female,” Helms said. “I don’t want gestures or actions to come off as insensitive. I still have to play her with a certain honesty, so I am giving her a more female-presenting dynamic. But I think you’re still seeing something different.”
The show’s cast also includes Lily Gast as Alice and Tommy Stuart, Jeff Garlish, Jasonica Moore, Brandon Wetch, Liz Magallanes, Elizabeth Evans, Savannah Yasmine Elayyach, Kristin Lazarchick, Nicole Delarosa, Kalumbu Tshibangu, Omar Valdez Rocha and Sami Goldman in the ensemble.
And in another queer twist, real life husbands Matty Rafanelli and Logan Rafanelli play Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
Shakespeare Dallas just over here serving up its own dose of Pride this season!
For tickets visit ShakespeareDallas.org.