The North Hills Drama Club production of Alice By Heart just finished their first weekend of shows this past Sunday! A reimagined version of a classic tale explores the difficulties of coping with loss and discovering the courage to move forward in life. Alice By Heart utilizes song, dance, and storytelling to teach us that our imaginations have the strength to find light in the darkest of times.
In the midst of the chaos and violence of WWII, Alice Spencer and her best friend Alfred are forced to hide in an underground tube station. Alfred, suffering from tuberculosis, is kept secluded from everyone else. To help her deal with the realities of war, Alice takes refuge within the pages of her beloved storybook.
The individual performances were incredible and honestly made me forget I was watching a high school production. Each student handled the depth of this musical with maturity and I could sense the emotional connection they had to the show. Everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun, while staying true to the personality of their character. Zoe Dittman, as Alice, captured the character’s curiosity and whimsical innocence. Her portrayal made me feel as if I was adventuring through Wonderland too.
The on stage chemistry between Alfred (AK Korbel), Alice, and the other characters felt especially authentic.
I specifically want to point out that many of the actors had to play multiple roles in this show. It can be challenging to differentiate between personalities and keep it consistent throughout the duration of the show. The supporting actors’ interpretation of their characters was entertaining and unique to each individual. The Mad Hatter (Paul Manganaro) is a noticeably vulnerable individual who brought an eccentric energy to the stage.
The talent within our school never fails to amaze me. It is clear that each and every person on stage loves what they are doing and takes it seriously. Year after year Ms. Sarazen and her team beautifully tailor the show to suit the abilities of each student. After being a part of the cast for the past three years, I have an understanding of what it takes to bring a show to life. Sitting on the other side of the stage presented a whole new perspective on the artistry and appreciation for the dedication that surrounds the theater.
The set design is one of the first things you see and it immediately grabbed my attention. It enhanced the storytelling and kept me engaged the whole time. The transition from bomb shelter to Wonderland was seamless and the lighting created an atmosphere that was almost dream-like. I personally loved the back lighting techniques, which definitely gave me chills multiple times.
As a past ensemble member myself, the incorporation of ensemble as more than just background characters completely elevated the experience for me. The costumes were intricately thought out and immersed the audience in the time period. There was a noticeable color scheme which had a lot of earthy tones. I loved the blood and syringe details on the King’s (Landon Schmidt) crown and the Cheshire Cat’s (Faith Evans) hairstyle to resemble ears. The attention to detail is profound and impressive.
Alice By Heart isn’t a typical choice for a high school musical and it is very different from what North Hills has put on the past couple of years. Most of those have fallen under the category of comedy with this musical highlighting more emotional topics. I love that high school theatre is a place where students can discover what they are interested in and express themselves in a welcoming environment. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience this show for yourself, I would highly recommend it to everyone.
