Marquee Youth Stage proudly presents
Alice in Wonderland Jr.
Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center
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August 11-12, 2012
July 2012, St. Charles, IL – Marquee Youth Stage invites you to join in Alice’s madcap adventures through Wonderland in Alice in Wonderland Jr. This theatrical experience for the entire family features Alice as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! These whimsical characters, brought to life by 44 talented actors ages 7-16 take us from a perfect day at the park, down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland. An empowering story about leading with your heart and being yourself, Alice in Wonderland is a kaleidoscope of hues that celebrate what makes each of us unique.
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On a beautiful day in the park, Alice follows the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole to begin her journey through Wonderland. In this magical world, Alice competes in a Caucus Race, learns manners from the Tweedles and visits the White Rabbit’s house. With shock and amazement, she discovers that Wonderland food alters her size—from a miniature Alice to a giant Alice! She chats with a bunch of snobby, overbearing flowers and sings a duet with a devious caterpillar. The infamous Cheshire Cat directs Alice to the March Hare’s home, where she attends a wild tea party with the Mad Hatter. After painting the roses with the Royal Cardsmen, she outsmarts the Queen of Hearts in a game of Simon Says. Outraged, the Queen sends Alice off to a most outrageous trial, where she must defend herself and reaffirm her identity before all of Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland Jr. takes its plot from Lewis Carroll’s classic stories Alice in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass. Based on the books, Walt Disney created the beloved movie Alice in Wonderland, which featured songs such as “I’m Late” and “The Unbirthday Song.” Alice in Wonderland Jr. showcases these fun-filled songs and many others sure to keep the audience’s toes tapping throughout the performance!
The Alice in Wonderland Jr. cast includes residents from multiple western suburbs. Elburn: Grace Venturi, Elgin: Taylor Riddiford, Geneva: Jill Danklefsen, Kaia Ebel, Katie Hansen, South Elgin: Ashley Henness, Kaylyn Pingel, Madison Pingel, St. Charles: Meredith Abbs, Margaret Bronec, Molly Bronec, Ashley Bruns, Caroline Cerrone, Caitlin Concannon, Emma Conrad, Nikole Custer, Katie Das, Kristen Das, Harlan Duffy, Joey Dula, Amelia Fincher, Devin Flores, Ginny Godziela, Maddie Godziela, Regan Hadzima, Liam Johnson, Regan McGrath, Merryn McKeough, Jacob Meyer, Allison Nolan, Lily Neville, Max Nink, Makena Ringhofer, Erica Sieck, Jayden Steinke, Maya Steinke, Megan Styrna, Emma Walsh, Tess Walsh, Allison Warden, Jonah Zimmerman, Mary Emma Zimmerman, Olivia Zimmerman, Sugar Grove: Maggie Madziarczyk.
For the summer musicals, MY Stage cooperative offers paid internships to high school and college students. Director Connie Flores of St. Charles selected the following interns to lead this production: artistic directors Jessica Meyer and Annie Black of St. Charles, vocal director Emily Fagan of Aurora, assistant vocal director Natalie Cerrone of St. Charles, choreographer Jessica Sieck of St. Charles, and technical/backstage assistants Joey Petersen, Griffin Johnson, and Laura Sanderson all of St. Charles.
MYStage is a youth inspired performing arts organization dedicated to giving every performer a “marquee moment” onstage. We offer a variety of enrichment opportunities, from workshops to full scale plays and musicals. Our goals are to empower youth, build character, enrich minds, and serve the communities that we reach through the programs we provide.
As part of MY Stage’s vision to serve the community through the lessons inspired by each show, we have once again partnered with Mooseheart Child City and School in Batavia to provide support for its residents. We began our partnership with Mooseheart during the spring performance of Peter Pan, when many Mooseheart residents had the opportunity to attend the show. For this production, our cast has created a “wonderland” of flower pens and hair bows, all made of duct tape. These fanciful creations will be sold at each performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr., with all proceeds going to Mooseheart. If you have any questions regarding this fundraiser, please contact Jennifer Duffy (duffy2000@gmail.com).
Directors Unlocking the Mystery of Wonderland
As an incredibly abstract story, Alice in Wonderland seems to leave its readers either loving it or hating it. During our journey through Wonderland, our own interpretation of this tale evolved. As part of the internship project, the Artistic Directing interns collaborated with Connie Flores on their take on the story of Alice in Wonderland. Here's a snippet of their thoughts…
What is the core/meaning of Alice in Wonderland?
Connie Flores: I believe this production is about self growth and discovery...a curious journey into the world of dreams, our unfettered imaginations fancied into a wonderland...Our curiosity drives us, and when we act on it, there are consequences--good and bad. It’s up to us to decide how we act on these inquiries.
Jessica Meyer: I agree and I also think that the idea of self-discovery and fitting in is a huge part of the overall message. Even in a world designed just for Alice, she doesn’t feel like herself and I think that really should come across.
Annie Black: That’s true. Even though Alice herself is creating this wonderland, she doesn’t really seem to get what’s going on, which displays her uncertainty about who exactly she wants to be. In each scene of the show, Alice finds out more and more who she is and who she isn’t until she finally comes to grips with who she wants to be.
What does the story mean to you?
CF: By pursuing the answers to things that we don't understand, we gain an understanding of ourselves, and in return, a better understanding of how we fit into this scheme of life. By knowing who we are, we can better understand how we may contribute to this world.
JM: I really think this is a story about trying to find one’s self and about facing the insecurities in your own identity, especially compared to the way everyone else perceives you.
CF: Ah, the looking glass self theory....
AB: It’s also about how not to lose the essence of who you are when under scrutiny, pressure, and hardship.
What is your response to Alice in Wonderland as a whole?
CF: As a whole, I see Alice in Wonderland as a bildungsroman or coming of age journey through a dream. It leaves me open to the idea of dreams providing a deeper insight--a third eye-- if you will.
JM: I really enjoyed the books when I read them. I like this particular version because it's so fun and sassy. I think the Cheshires are great for moving everything forward and providing clarity.
AB: The oddness of this story can make for a lot of different interpretations. I think that this is a very fun show as long as it is portrayed the right way, as in with real emotions and lots of fun rather than on the surface statements and meaningless silliness.
What do you like about it?
CF: I like the ideas of self discovery, of wonderland as a locus for self growth. It's unique and reminds us to maintain our sense of "muchness" as we navigate life.
JM: I love the message about the necessity of knowing yourself in order to be true to yourself.
AB: I love how, underneath all of the wackiness, there’s a real theme. I also love all the wackiness. This is just a feel good, fun show. Even without analyzing it, our audience should leave the theatre feeling enlightened and inspired to be who they are in every situation.
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Alice in Wonderland Jr., rated G, will be presented Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12 at 3:00pm at the Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center (located on the St. Charles East High School campus), 1040 Dunham Road in St. Charles. Tickets, priced at $16 for adults and $11 for students and seniors, can be purchased online at www.marqueeyouth.org. Ample free parking is available adjacent to the theater.
