Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre's traditional Halloween production features the premiere of a dark, clever, new commentary on the seven deadly sins.

Arriving at a time that could not seem more appropriate -- as American society obsesses over its creature comforts and financial well-being -- "The Seven Deadly Sins" is one of company artistic director Gregory Hancock's best new creations in years.

Had the Indianapolis contemporary dance company expanded its smart, seven-part choreography into an evening-length piece, that probably would have been enough to make a terrific fall program, all on its own.

However, under the title "Oh My Goth!," the company carried its dark-haired, light-skinned gothic look from "The Seven Deadly Sins" into a second act, featuring the revision of Hancock's "Alice and Her Bizarre Adventures in Wonderland," a strange, abstract takeoff on the 19th-century Lewis Carroll story.

"The Seven Deadly Sins," featuring seven main dancers, addresses the familiar offenses of pride, sloth, anger, gluttony, greed, envy and lust.

The "Greed" segment featured a marvelously satirical dash for the cash. Four dancers in business attire (Martin Casanova, Natalee Cooney, Heather Helene King and Sara Little) seemed totally fixated as they circled around two briefcases stuffed with money, perhaps after the fashion of a popular TV game show.

The equally compelling "Gluttony" featured Sarah Collister and three other insatiable women, constantly grasping for material gain.

Casanova performed "Sloth" as a solo, pretty much weighted to the floor, unmotivated and disinterested in anything, not even a cell phone.

Presented as a full-length piece in 2006, "Alice" was shortened so that it only occupied Act 2 on this program. Hancock's version of the tale quickly makes its point about an outsider in an unfriendly society, and brings to life dark versions of familiar characters such as the Cheshire Cat and Mad Hatter.

But with its slashing, staccato moves, throbbing soundtrack and strobe lighting, "Alice" is still unappealingly weird, even in this abbreviated version. The shorter, the better.

'Oh My Goth!'

What: A Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre production.

When: Final show, 8 p.m. today (Saturday, Nov. 1).

Where: Pike Performing Arts Center.

Bottom line: Clever new commentary about the sins of society, and the dreaded return of "Alice."