ROWLEY — For months now, Pine Grove School fifth- and sixth-graders have been preparing to debut their production of Disney's "Alice in Wonderland Jr." For the first time, the play will be performed this weekend at Byfield Community Arts Center at 7 Central St.
All previous annual Pine Grove productions have been at the school, but this year, said Joann Anderson, who has helped coordinate the shows for many years, "we decided to try the new venue, because the stage is elevated and you can see the actors on the stage from anywhere in the room, which was not the case with the Pine Grove School stage."
Plus, she added, "the new theater company that is directing 'Alice in Wonderland Jr.' performs all its shows at the Byfield Community Arts Center, so it made sense to give it a try."
Under the direction Jack Neary of TTS ("That's The Spirit") Players, with Mike Fay as producer and Stephanie Schapero as choreographer, 39 Pine Grove students will come together for a spectacular performance on a new stage.
The production tells the well-known story of Alice as she journeys through Wonderland, chasing the White Rabbit, racing the Dodo Bird, rapping with the bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beating the Queen of Hearts at her own game. Three students share the leading role of Alice — Jillian Quigley as Alice, Allie Hawkes as tall Alice and Gillian Nichols as small Alice; and three performers comprise the role of the Cheshire cat and act as narrators of the show. They are Sydney Accomando, May Ganzenmuller and Ellie Odoy. Those in the audience might recognize fifth-grade teacher John Collyer, who often accepts roles in the school productions, as he takes on the persona of the Dodo Bird.
According to Fay, who led the cast in today's pre-performance for the student body only, the audience was captivated by the show.
"When I looked out into the audience at today's in-school show, I saw a mesmerized student body; 400-plus kids sat still, wide-eyed, with jaws dropped for the whole show," Fay said. "They were transfixed, and they loved it!"
Tickets to the show's three performances are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens. Show times are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. with general admission seating. For more information on tickets, contact Marion Thornton at mthornton667@gmail.com or call 978-432-1195.
The show is sponsored by the Rowley Public Education Fund, with all proceeds going back to TTS.
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