What would happen if a 21st century Alice collided with Lewis Carroll’s legendary Wonderland? This is the fun that audiences can discover in the Lanesboro Community Theater, Inc./Lanesboro Public School production of Alice @ Wonderland, performing Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at the St. Mane Theater in Lanesboro.
Winner of the Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting contest, Yukich’s “modern retelling of Carroll’s classic children’s story has all of the characters you know and love, including the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts except that Alice is distinctly contemporary . . . complete with cell phone in hand. With plenty of references to text messaging and social media, this quality adaptation has been praised for its humor, modern style and appeal to both children and adults.”
Adding to the appeal, Director Tess Heim has created a cast of Lanesboro elementary school students to perform the play. “I wanted the younger kids to have the same chance of putting on a play as the middle and high school kids,” said Heim, a Reading teacher at Lanesboro Public School. “There wasn’t a way to do that at present, so I decided to try to create one.” Heim contacted Lanesboro Community Theater, Inc. and suggested collaboration with Lanesboro Public School, with LCT providing financing, materials and promotion and LPS and volunteers providing production staff, and creation of costumes, set and props. This has been an experience deemed a success by all involved.
“We would like to see more collaboration with Lanesboro Public School and schools in general,” said Tom Barnes, LCT President. “While we present a summer musical in which kids can be involved, this would offer another great opportunity for children to discover theater and all it can teach.” Lanesboro Community Theater, Inc. became a 501 c3 not-for-profit in February and is exploring other exciting avenues for community involvement.
Alice @ Wonderland performs at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are on sale now at Parkway Market in Lanesboro and at the St. Mane Theater box office before each performance.
Stay up to date with Lanesboro Community Theater, Inc. happenings at LanesboroCommunityTheater.blogspot.com or by following the group’s Facebook page.
Alice @ Wonderland is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colo.
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