Tolstoy updated in ‘War and Fleas’

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - An army of dogs and squirrels fighting over turf may not be quite what Leo Tolstoy had in mind when he wrote “War and Peace.”

But Fluid Movement’s modern-day version of the book does lighten the plot.

Fluid Movement, a volunteer-based community arts group, will perform their sixth water ballet at Baltimore’s Riverside Park and Patterson Park. The 60-person cast has been practicing for about a month.

Narrated by two fleas, “War and Fleas” tells the story of a street dog named Pierre who finally gets a break. He is adopted to live in luxury, but soon enough, his world is shattered by trouble-making squirrels.

Pierre’s resistance against the war of the squirrels leads to his self-exploration, and marriage to his best friend, Natasha, scriptwriter Ted Alsedek said.

“The joy of performing comes from getting people who wouldn’t normally do this kind of thing, and seeing them pull it off,” said Valerie Perez-Schere, a Baltimore resident who plays a squirrel in the show.

“In the scene that I’m in there’s three or four experienced swimmers, but the rest are all new to water ballet,” she said. “So people have been really excited, positive and open about learning.”

“Community performances like these bring people together,” said Stacey Mink, Fluid Movement board president. “It gives people the opportunity, whether they’re performing or observing, to enjoy the community and to see Patterson Park as a resource and treasure.”

The show’s energy comes from improvisation. The cast comes up with new choreography almost every practice by goofing around in the pool, Perez-Schere said.

“The whole collaborative spirit is my favorite part of the performance,” said Amy Harmon, co-producer of the show. “Also, getting to see a large group of people acting like dogs in a public park!”

IF YOU GO

War and Fleas

» Venue: Riverside Park Pool, 1800 Covington St., Baltimore

» Time: 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday

» Venue: Patterson Park Pool, 148 S. Linwood Ave., Baltimore

» Time: 5 p.m. July 28; 7 p.m. July 29

» Tickets: $8

ekrupp@baltimoreexaminer.com

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