Step through the looking glass into a world full of adventure in Wonderland, as Mainstage Center for the Arts kicks off its 2014 Children’s Theatre season, July 16–18, Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College, Blackwood.
In this fun, modern, musical adaption of Lewis Caroll’s Through the Looking Glass, Alice (Paige Clancy of Gloucester Township) magically finds herself on the other side of the looking glass, surrounded by pawns, the Red Queen (Katelyn Cusick of Washington Township) and King (Tim Smith of Marlton), and the White Queen (Kaitlin Bassi of Gloucester Township) and King (Joey Campbell of Deptford). They question what she’s doing in Wonderland. Before Alice knows what’s happening, they break out in song and dance. Then, she’s greeted by singing flowers and a host of other characters including Hatta (Vilma Rosselli of Washington Twp), Tweedle Dee (Katie Morgan of Gloucester Township) and Tweedle Dum (Allison Shapiro of Cherry Hill), Humpty Dumpty (Katie Lutner of Gloucester Township), sword-fighting knights, and more as she plays a life-size game of chess. Will all the silliness somehow lead home?
“The role of Alice is so much fun and challenging at the same time. She has so many mixed emotions throughout the show. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to play her,” said Clancy.
Wonderland is directed by Grace Szczepkowski of Marlton.
“I really love this version of Alice in Wonderland. Its songs are upbeat, which allows both the directing team and the kids to have a great time,” said Szcsepkowski. “The mix of song and dance includes hip hop, a cool jazz number, and a fun tap number. Audiences will love it.”
Enjoy Mainstage Center for the Arts’ performances of Wonderland, Jr., sponsored by Bowman & Company and First Bank, July16 & 17, 7:30 p.m. and July 18, 10:30 a.m. in the newly-renovated, fully-accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ. Ticket prices are $10/children 12 and under/senior citizens and $11/adults. To purchase tickets visit www.mainstage.org or call (856) 227–3091.
In addition to Wonderland, the Summer Stage Children’s Theatre season includes Willy Wonka, Jr., July 23–25; Beauty and the Beast, Jr.; July 30-August 1; and Broadway for Kids, August 6–8. All productions run 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10:30 a.m. Friday. There are also Thursday morning performances for groups, which are sign-interpreted. This year’s evening Mainstage production is Les Miserables, school edition, July 26, 7:30 p.m., July 27, 2 p.m., and August 1 and 2, 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.mainstage .org.
Summer Stage 2014 is sponsored by AP Construction. McDonald’s of Blackwood and Hurffville sponsor the Children’s Theatre Season.
