Broomfield-based Iluminar Aerial’s spring shows will bring extravagant acrobatics to some classic tales.

Iluminar puts on a selection of family-friendly shows every year, each one with its own theme and story to tell. This spring, the adult aerial company will tackle “Alice in Wonderland,” while the youth company will perform “Wizard of Oz.”

This will be the company’s first-ever performance of “Alice in Wonderland,” which artistic director and studio owner Emily Moon promises will retain all the fun and whimsy of the original.

“Everyone’s having a fun time with the creation of the adaptation, following the book more so than the movie,” Moon said. “We’re kind of following it by the chapters of the book, with those classic looking-glass elements in the storyline.”

Moon said the production marries aerial dance with theatrics, complete with music but only light narration.

“It’s a little bit like Cirque du Soleil rolled in with a more theatrical take and elements to pull the story onto the stage,” she said.

She said the whimsical nature of the fan-favorite tale made it an easy choice for the adult company’s spring production, and the large cast of characters gives the company of over 30 performers plenty to work with.

Megan Hall choreographed some of the show and will also play the iconic role of the Queen of Hearts. She said that after a lifetime spent dancing, she made the transition to aerial arts.

“In my 30s I moved to a new neighborhood and found an aerial yoga community event,” Hall said, of her origins in the sport. “I built up the strength to do aerial and have definitely incorporated my dance techniques into aerial arts.”

Aerial performers like Hall and the rest of the company use a variety of apparatuses in any given show — from climbing up large silk banners rigged to the ceiling, to hanging from Lyra hoops.

Hall choreographed two numbers in “Alice in Wonderland,” one in the garden before Alice meets the Cheshire Cat and one during the queen’s croquet game.

“Essentially, it’s like organized chaos in dance and aerial forms,” she said. “Iluminar, in general, involves a lot of organization because we have large casts and a lot goes into each piece — there’s aerial choreography, ground choreography, theatrics and props, and all of it needs to happen in line with the music.”

Off to Oz

While the adult company has been adventuring in Wonderland, the youth performers are working on their production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“I’m really excited for the show, it’s going to be a leveled-up version of what we did last year,” one of the show’s directors, Daniel Nolasco, said. “The kiddos are stronger, more confident and they’ve done an amazing job with the challenges that’ve come their way.”

Nolasco said that Iluminar’s production will follow the movie, with more abstract interpretations of Dorothy’s iconic journey through Oz.

“There’s a lot of kiddos, and every day it’s a bit random for what you can expect,” Nolasco said of wrangling the performers.

“They come in with a lot of energy, and it’s always fun — there’s never a dull moment.”

Both shows will debut at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. “The Wizard of Oz” shows are at 2:30 p.m. May 3 and 12:30 p.m. May 4. “Alice in Wonderland” will be on stage at 6:30 p.m. May 3 and 3:30 p.m. May 4.

Adult tickets for both shows start at $29, and more information can be found at iluminaraerial.com.