As the Queen of Hearts chops heads off and Alice Spencer tells the tale of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” the Pinewood Performing Arts is preparing for the musical “Alice by Heart.”
Inspired by the novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll, the story is set in 1941 during World War II in London, where Alice Spencer and her best friend Alfred have to take shelter in a tube station with many other civilians who are seeking shelter. However, Alfred is suffering from tuberculosis, and Alice feels sorry for her friend. She decides to tell him the tale of “Alice in Wonderland” by heart. The characters sheltering in the tube station all become different actors for the story, and Alice and Alfred take on the adventure of Wonderland.
Freshman Lola Hannelly is debuting in her first high school production playing Alice Spencer.
“I’m having an amazing time getting to know everyone, and it’s a really amazing experience for me,” Hannelly said. “I am a little nervous, but I am more excited for it, and I think it’ll be really amazing.”
During the musical, the relationship between Alice and Alfred grows, and they end up falling in love with one another. Prior to the casting of the musical, Hannelly and sophomore Zachary Gill, who plays Alfred, didn’t know each other well. As the play has been progressing, they are getting closer in order to portray their characters in the play.
“Lola and I didn’t know each other before these roles, and our character’s chemistry is very important to this. Gill said. “I think that’s the most important thing, that we can connect as actors to portray it.”
The musical involves a large ensemble of students dancing and following a creative choreography. Hannelly enjoys the beauty and complexity of this choreography.
“I find the choreography so entertaining, to watch everyone move around and seeing it all come together.” Hanelly said.
Gill agrees with Hannelly, and particularly enjoys the scenes and songs that the play has to offer.
“It’s a barrage of beautiful scenes, beautiful songs,” Gill said. “And just there’s always something to look at and I want the audience to leave with a wow, more than anything.”
“Alice by Heart” is a musical full of mystery, curiosity, and love and will be performed April 24-26 and May 1-3.
