After a year delay, the show must go on.
To that end, Pine River-Backus students will stage "The Trials of Alice in Wonderland" this weekend, May 21-23.
Director Jen Anderson, with the Pine River-Backus theater program, had planned for the production before it was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the cast is ready to return to the stage.
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The production is based on Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass."
The synopsis reads: "Based on two of the greatest works in children’s literature, this fast-paced and witty show is set in Wonderland’s courtroom, where Alice is on trial. The Queen of Hearts is the judge, the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and Caterpillar are witnesses, and a very confused jury! Poor Alice must try to prove her innocence by re-living the events of the adventures we’ve all come to love. Her crime? Growing and changing. Both helping and hindering her are Tweedledee and Tweedledum, who spend most of their time trying to decide who is the attorney for the defense and who for the prosecution. To win the case and save her head, Alice must embrace the truth about who she is and be willing to wake up from the dream of Wonderland."
The cast includes:
- Tweedle Dum: Josiah Sechser.
- Tweedle Dee: Gianna Sechser.
- White Rabbit: Evan Richter.
- Cheshire Cat: Katelyn Denton.
- Mad Hatter: Cassin Humphrey.
- March Hare: Skyler Rugroden.
- Caterpillar: Nesika Belleville.
- Dormouse: Kadence Timms.
- Alice: Olivia Anderson.
- Tiny Alice: Kyla Wattenhofer.
- Mouse: Mara Adams.
- Dodo: Trinity Osman.
- Lory: Miley Tweeter.
- Eagle: Kate Davis.
- King of Hearts: Isaak Anderson.
- Queen of Hearts: Jen Anderson.
Kate Davis provides vocal direction and Andrea Anderson did the costumes.
The show will run at 7 p.m. Friday, May 21, with a live production only. Live shows with virtual options will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23.
Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for students for the live show. Virtual tickets are $15 per household. Information is available at prbschools.org.
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This show is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Services, Inc., Englewood, Colorado.
Travis Grimler is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com.
