Alice In Wonderland At Mainstage Center For The Arts

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Follow the White Rabbit and fall into a world full of adventure as Mainstage Center for the Arts (MCA) Musical Theatre Company presents Alice in Wonderland, Jr., May 20, 7 pm, Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood.

The fun begins when Alice (Ava DiBabbo of Washington Township) free falls down the rabbit hole where she ends up larger than life. The Doorknob (Maddi Jones of Sicklerville) advises her to drink a potion, which shrinks Alice (small Alice is portrayed by Olivia Williams of Sicklerville) so she will fit through the keyhole into Wonderland.

Here, she is reunited with the White Rabbit (Shannon Enright of Clementon) and meets Tweedle Dee (Emily Liszewski of Sicklerville) and Tweedle Dum (Alyssa Ristagno of Deptford), the Mad Hatter (Ryan Mc Dermott of Sicklerville), Caterpillar (Claire McDermott of Sicklerville, who also portrays tall Alice), Cheshire Cat (Megan Moyers of Stratford, Victoria Ravoni of Sicklerville, and Emily Williams, also of Sicklerville), the DoDo Bird (Victoria White), and the March Hare (Michael Thompson of Sicklerville). She attends the Mad Hatter’s tea party, plays croquet, and finds herself accused by the Queen of Hearts (Lindsay Thompson of Sicklerville). The Queen of Hearts controls everyone, including the King of Hearts (Charlie Bell of Gloucester Township).

“I’m having so much fun being Alice,” said DiBabbo. “I’m enjoying acting out her mood swings, crying one minute and happy the next.”

Another character enjoying her role is Lyndsay Thompson. “My personality is peppy so it is a great and challenging experience for me to play someone bossy who yells.”

Additional cast members include the flowers: Petunia (Chenoa Yelle of Elmer), Rose (Arianna Starr of Voorhees), Iris (Erica Smith of Washington Township), Daisy (Hailee Imperatore of Gloucester Township), Violet (Natalie Hess of Blackwood), and Lily (Olivia Simon of Stratford).

With an enchanting story and classic Disney songs including “I’m Late” and “The UnBirthday Song,” the audience will get caught up in the magic of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. directed by Francine Odri of Lumberton and along with music director, Jillian Clark of Gloucester Township.

“It’s been a joy working with these young actors in the Musical Theatre Company class since September. They are so enthusiastic and have grown so much over the year,” said Odri.

Clark added, “The kids are so talented and have been working very hard. It’s going to be a great show.”

The performers range from fourth through ninth grades and are all enrolled in MCA’s Musical Theatre Company class, which meets once per week. To be in the company, students also take the skill-based class Broadway Song and Dance, which develops confident, well-rounded performers.

Enjoy Mainstage Center for the Arts’ performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr., May 20, 7:00 pm in the fully-accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ. Tickets are general admission, ranging from $8 to $12 and available online at www.mainstage.org or at the door.

Mainstage Center for the Arts is a regional performing arts center located on the campus of Camden County College, in Blackwood, NJ. Mainstage provides a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults. Using the performing arts as a catalyst for individual expression and growth, Mainstage enriches the quality of life for its South Jersey community.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Mainstage Center for the Arts NJ is committed to make the arts experience enjoyable for all our patrons. In an effort to make our shows, concerts, events, workshops, classes, and offices accessible to as many as possible, Mainstage offers many services for patrons requiring assistance. For anyone in need of assistance, please notify our office at (855) 936-2467, ext 3 at the time of purchasing tickets, or at least five days prior to the event you are attending. Thank you.