LOUDONVILLE – Director Jessica Wagner can’t wait for audiences to see what her students can do when they take the stage for Mohican Community Theatre’s “Alice in Wonderland Junior.”
The show runs Feb. 22-24 at The Ohio Theatre in Loudonville.
“Elementary and middle school kids have a lot of talent that people overlook,” Wagner said. “Theater really helps them blossom into who they are meant to be.”
The cast of 29 second through eighth graders has only been practicing since January, but already cast members are wowing Wagner with their ability to memorize lines and learn songs and dances.
Students come from Loudonville, Hillsdale, Mount Vernon and Triway schools, and about one third take private music lessons with Wagner. The students include many returning actors from last year’s production of “The Wizard of Oz Jr.” as well as several new faces.
“This is a wonderful show full of really hard-working kids that really have a passion for theater and music and dance,” Wagner said. “They are bringing their all for this production.”
The show offers plenty of opportunities for students to shine, with three students in the role of Alice and three cast as Cheshire cats.
By casting a small Alice, medium Alice and tall Alice, Wagner was able to achieve the shrinking and growing effect that is central to the plot.
The three Cheshire cats alternate between speaking in tandem and separately.
Other major roles include Ruth Bitner as White Rabbit, Emily Kearns as Mad Hatter, Maddie Blevins as Queen of Hearts and Callie Scarberry and Emlyn Bitner as Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
In many cases, students in smaller roles get to play two characters.
“A lot of the chorus members are both sea creatures and royal cards or both party guest and flowers,” Wagner said.
Wagner said Ruth Bitner knew from the beginning that she wanted to play the White Rabbit.
“When she came for auditions, she had her music prepared and she had the personality down,” Wagner said. “She did great.”
Ruth Bitner said she was happy to be cast in her first lead role. She is enjoying acting like she is running late as well as singing and dancing in the show.
Playing the role of Alice are Iva Spreng (small), Amber Manchester(medium) and Laila Manchester (tall).
Spreng was both excited and nervous to have her first lead role be such an iconic one.
“‘Alice in Wonderland’ was one of the first movies I watched when I turned three, and I just loved it,” she said. “Now I can’t believe I’m a part of it.”
The Manchester sisters were also thrilled to have the opportunity to play Alice.
“There’s a lot of dances and a lot of cool stuff to it, so it’s really fun,” Amber Manchester said of the production.
Laila Manchester expects the show to be a hit with audiences.
“We’ve worked really hard on it, so I think they’ll see that we’ve learned all our lines and worked really hard at perfecting our parts and at all the little things that make it more interesting,” she said.
Mohican Community Theatre is funding the production this year, freeing Wagner up to focus all her energy on music and choreography.
“It’s a lot less stressful this time because I’m not fundraising or worrying about costumes,” she said.
Isabeau Murray is assistant director. Jon Fogle serves as stage manager. Mary Murray manages props and costumes. Sets were built by Bud Jung. Sally Hollenbach runs sound and Brandon Fullenkamp runs lights.
“You can tell the community is abuzz and excited over it,” Wagner said, adding that 250 tickets had already been sold well in advance of opening night.
Show times are 7 p.m. February 22 and 23 and 2 p.m. February 24 in The Ohio Theatre, 156 N. Water St., Loudonville.
Tickets are $10 for adults or $8 for seniors and students ages five to 18. Admission for kids age 4 and under is free, if space allows.
Tickets are available online on ticketleap.com. For more information and a link to buy tickets, visit the Facebook Event page Alice in Wonderland Jr.
