Darlington's fine arts department and the Pre-K to 8 Division will present Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland JR." April 25-27 in the Zelle Black Box Theater. Show times are 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday. This zany 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 1951 Disney film and the novels by Lewis Carroll. The Thatcher Hall cast includes 36 students in grades third through eighth and is led by a production staff and crew of Upper School theatre students and Darlington faculty.
"'Alice in Wonderland' is such a fun show," said Director of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Smyly, who serves as the faculty director for the production. "Because we had a number of Thatcher Hall students participating in the winter musical this year, we have had a shorter, more focused rehearsal period for the Spring Musical. It has been so exciting to watch our Upper School students take production leadership roles with this show and to watch our younger students really blossom. I think 'Alice' definitely exemplifies the effort that our Fine Arts department is making to develop our students’ passion for both performing and visual arts from grades three all the way to twelve."
Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice as she navigates the curious world of Wonderland on her journey of self-discovery. Along her adventure, Alice encounters the ever-tardy White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cats, a cool Caterpillar, the wacky Mad Hatter, a temperamental Queen and many more beloved Wonderland characters in this charming updated retelling of the classic Lewis Carroll stories. Adapted especially for young performers, the musical includes favorite songs from the Disney canon such as "I’m Late," "The Unbirthday Song," and "Painting the Roses Red," in addition to music from the 2010 Tim Burton live-action film. Whether this is your first experience with Alice or your hundredth, you’ll lose your head (and your heart) for "Alice in Wonderland JR.!"
Alice has a student production staff that includes Angeline Myrie ('25) as student director and choreographer; Julia Beauchamp ('25) assisting with choreography and music; Alli Robinson ('25), Reese Bell ('26), and Brecken Laliberte ('25) heading up sound and lights; and Ava Ann Woods ('26), Megan Pinkley ('26), Cooper Laliberte ('27), Moa Berglund ('25), and Kensie Waller ('26) as stage crew. Theatre Director Shelley Daniel and her stagecraft class have created a whimsical and beautiful set that audiences will love. With the faculty guidance, direction, and support from Spenser Dunn, Alex Johnson, Jenna Jones, Celeste Rivers, Melissa Smyly, and Kim Tunnell, "Alice in Wonderland JR." is a show you won’t want to miss!
Tickets were available for families of the cast starting Monday, April 14, and remaining tickets are now available to the public. Please use the link below to purchase tickets as listed on the GoFan website for Darlington School:
"Alice in Wonderland JR." Tickets
CAST
Abby Webb - Mathilda, ensemble
Addie Kate Cox - Alice
Adelyn Fine - Jane, ensemble
Anderson Cox - Two of Clubs, ensemble
Anna Jane Sturdivant - Daisy, ensemble
Astrid Wade - Wonderland Ensemble
Audrey Gaug - Violet, ensemble
Ava Hight - Queen of Hearts
Betsy Cash - Beatrice, ensemble
Branch Connelly - Doorknob, royal card
Caroline Floyd - Cheshire Cat 3
Charlotte Goode - Cheshire Cat 1
Collier Murphy - Ace of Spades, ensemble
Colt Griesbach - Mad Hatter
Darden McElrath - Small Alice
David Zelenak - Four of Hearts, ensemble
Elizabeth Wellesley - Wonderland Ensemble
Emma Grioni - Tall Alice
Emma Carney - Wonderland Ensemble
Finley Laliberte - Caterpillar
Georgia Elrod - Dodo Bird
Georgia Kines - Petunia, ensemble
Grace Gaug - Cheshire Cat 2
Harrison Pewitt - King of Hearts
Jack Stone - Tweedle Dee
Janette Sukhanath - Wonderland Ensemble
Julia Harris - Lily, ensemble
Julian Lawrence - Three of Diamonds, ensemble
Lily Connelly - Marigold, ensemble
Lily Fine - Wonderland Ensemble
Loftin Smyly - White Rabbit
Robinson Miller - Rose, ensemble
Rosie Fife - Iris, ensemble
Sam Stitt - Tweedle Dum
Slade Smith - March Hare
Wesley Stitt - Six of Diamonds, ensemble
