Optical illusions aren’t the only thing making minds spin at Langley High School’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.”
Based on the classic novel by Lewis Carroll, “Alice” follows a young girl named Alice as she is transported to Wonderland. Here she befriends a talking Cheshire Cat and makes an enemy of Wonderland’s ruler, the Queen of Hearts, who has a habit of cutting off her subjects’ heads.
Facing illogical characters and situations, Alice must learn to navigate the world around her, as she discovers that understanding will open any door.
Ava Carter brought an air of innocence to her portrayal of the title character. Her sweet and curious nature balanced the odd citizens of Wonderland, an essential element of the story that Carter easily achieved.
Carter also developed a genuine and engaging friendship with the Cheshire Cat, played by Lily Tani. Tani’s “Chessy” was a natural guide for wit. Along with her ever-present grin, Tani employed a range of vocal inflections, as well as varied movements, from languid pacing to joyful leaps, to create a well-developed character.
From the moment she was announced, promenading down the house aisle, The Queen of Hearts (Scarlett Spano) commanded the stage. Spano’s character choices, such as greeting the audience during her entrances, and kicking her feet when frustrated, along with her energy and charisma, elevated each of her scenes.
Also notable was the Mock Turtle (Daniel Qiu), whose committed character and excellent use of timing lit up the stage.
The show’s elaborate costumes – designed by Leo Rose, Logan Dooley and Lorna Evans – transported the audience to Wonderland with their fanciful designs and vibrant colors. They created custom fabric patterns for certain characters to execute their vision accurately.
Eye-catching details, like the playing cards on the Queen of Hearts’ dress, contributed to the character’s style and personality. The lighting (executed by Atlas Zecca, Erin Young, Declan O’Rourke and Henry Lewis) was a reflection of the actors’ feelings and set the atmosphere of each scene, such as the red motif that accompanied the Queen of Hearts. The crew also made innovative use of UV lights, which changed the color of set pieces they landed on.
As optical illusions spin and talented actors earn plenty of laughs, Langley High School’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” was a beautiful demonstration of the power of Alice’s story.
The GazetteLeader partners with the Critics and Awards Program (CAPPIES) in presenting student-written reviews of local high-school theater productions.
For more on the initiative, see the Web site at www.cappies.com/nca/.
