Gettysburg, Pa. – Grab your tea cups and prepare for laughs as Gettysburg Area Middle School (GAMS) students present a whimsical twist to Wonderland this Friday and Saturday.
GAMS invites the community to experience, “The Real Story of Alice in Wonderland,” a comedy by Kristen Doherty inspired by Lewis Carroll.
Performances are set Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. at the GAMS Auditorium, 37 Lefever St., Gettysburg. Admission is free, so don’t be late for an incredible journey down the rabbit hole with the talented GAMS cast.
Under the direction of Gettysburg College senior Maggie Fernald, students will bring this humorous adaptation to life, offering audiences a fresh and entertaining perspective on “Alice in Wonderland.”
“This show really feels like home to me as this is the third time I have been part of a production of the Alice stories, so it feels fitting to me to have this show be my Theatre Arts capstone,” Fernald said. “This production has been so fulfilling to me as I love working with these kids, and I’m so proud of them for all of the hard work they’ve put into this show. I can’t wait for everyone to see them shine on stage this weekend!”
This adaptation includes two versions of Alice, one that is nice, and another that is mean.
“People should come to the performance because it really takes you back to your childhood and always being curious to learn more about the world,” said McKenna Spokus, a seventh grader who portrays Nice Alice.
Spokus said the show incorporates audience participation, with the opportunity to vote on which side of the story they enjoyed the most.
“I hope that all of the audience knows how hard all of us worked to put this show up,” said Katherine Myers, a seventh grader who plays Mean Alice. “We have been working since the beginning of September, and though we do not have a fancy set, we are all so happy to be on stage performing for you.”
In learning the script, Myers has “enjoyed” the chance to play Mean Alice and transform into the character on stage.
Spokus also loves the ability to “switch between how the original Lewis Carroll version tells the story, and the twisted version with different approaches on each scene.”
The cast includes: Molly McLucas as Pip; Helena Umstattd as Squeak; Harper Adams as Jane; Spokus as Nice Alice; Myers as Mean Alice; Mia Alvarez as White Rabbit; Catori Perkins as the Doorknob; Alli Judlin as the Dodo; Zoë Miller as the Duck; Nittany Kress as the Grey Mouse; Ellie Sours as the Eagle; Neeska Patel as Tweedle Dee; Elsie Miller as Tweedle Dum; Kyaier Joyner as the Walrus; Elliot Zavodny as the Carpenter; Ellie Kluck as the Mother Oyster; Olivia Messick as the Cheshire Cat; Ellie McDonald as the Caterpillar; Rosie Cross as the Mad Hatter; Savannah Dick as the March Hare; Faith Weikert as the Door Mouse; Gabriela Mendoza as the Card Painter Ace; Nirvanaa Cotton as the Card Painter Two; Elaine He as the Card Painter Three; Norah Spinks as the Queen of Hearts; and Alexandria Musser as the King of Hearts.
The creatures of Wonderland (Ensemble) include: Athena DiFilippo, Alana Knouse, Laney Winters, Mason Scholly, Ellie Sours, Leah Jones, Liliann Thornton, and Aubrey Mullen.
Both Spokus and Myers thanked Fernald for her hard work in the production.
Spokus recognized Fernald “for always making rehearsal a fun and safe space for all of us.”
“Even though it is her last show with us, we will all remember her and how amazing of a director she was,” added Myers.
Spokus also thanked GAMS Principal Kristy Caywood for her support of middle school theatre.