BY MEGAN BOISVERT
Enjoy a trip down the rabbit hole at Lake Helen’s very own Shoestring Theatre with the Summer Youth Production of Alice @ Wonderland, written by Jonathan Yukich. Opening Friday, June 16, and showing two weekends through Sunday, June 25, this modern retelling of one of Lewis Carroll’s best works tells the story of Alice (played by Natalie Williams), who needs a phone charger and follows the White Rabbit (Brandon Jackson) down the rabbit hole in search of one.
While on the hunt for a Starbucks in the Queen’s garden, Alice comes across many of Wonderland’s most-beloved characters, such as the mysterious Cheshire Cat (Cainen and Aubree Grooms), the always-wise Caterpillar, and the self-obsessed Humpty-Dumpty (Jayden Woodward).
Join Alice as she adventures through the Hall of Strange Doors (Elijah Vasquez, Ansley Schefer, Giovanni Frasca and Griffin Williams), and stops for tea with the Mad Hatter (Griffin Williams), the March Hare (Rhyleigh Earegood) and the Door-mouse (Samantha Woodward).
After the tea party, Alice is approached by Fish and Frog Newsies (Alana Fawcett and Lily Williams) selling newspapers in exchange for worms and flies.
Audiences will also see Alice get heckled by the sassy Talking Flowers, delightfully portrayed by Lily Williams, Alana Fawcett, Mary Jane McFarland and Ansley Schefer, before being approached by the short-tempered Queen of Hearts (Nadia Ballesteros), her devoted King (Dillon Williams), and their Guards (Giovanni Frasca, Elijah Vasquez and Oliver Vasquez) made of cards, where you will have to see for yourself whether Alice keeps her head!
The show is co-directed by Megan Boisvert and Michelle Skiles, with Nancy Ballesteros as stage manager, Mason Jackson as light operator, Lori Lemoine in the sound booth and Matt Williams manning the spotlight.
The colorful set of Wonderland was built by the wonderful Bob Sollien and brought to life by Catherine Quinones and her magic paintbrushes, as well as many of our amazing volunteers!
Tickets are on sale now and selling fast at shoestringtheatre.net, or call the box office at 386-228-3777!
Shoestring Theatre is at 380 S. Goodwin St. in Lake Helen.
Fun for the whole family, Alice @ Wonderland makes for a great escape from reality … after all, “We’re All Mad Here!”
