Alice in Wonderland
at Ross High School

Reviewed on November 23, 2019

Hannah Stansbury
Ursuline Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1

The cast and crew at Ross High School wonderfully embraced the strange and unusual on their journey to performing their magnificently mad play, "Alice and Wonderland."

The story of "Alice in Wonderland" has been told time and time again and is a family favorite and household classic. The heartwarming tale follows a young girl, Alice, and her journey into the strange, yet magical world of Wonderland. She endures difficult and disorienting experiences as she meets different characters who live in Wonderland that help her begin to believe in herself and her uniqueness.

Overall, both the unity and dedication of the cast and the detailed, involved work of the crew made "Alice in Wonderland" truly spectacular.

Taking on the role of Alice herself was Chyanne Jackson, accompanied on her journey by Joshua Inman portraying the White Rabbit. Chyanne wonderfully portrayed just how much emotion a young girl would feel if she were randomly dropped in a strange world. From her giggles, tantrums, to breakdowns, Chyanne was dedicated, energetic, and nailed the role. Joshua did a phenomenal job portraying the sassy, humorous spirit of the White Rabbit, consistently making small gestures or facials that made the audience roar with laughter.

Both Tweedledee and Tweedledum, played by Carolyn Myers and Lydia-Rose Langdon respectively, were also extremely notable actresses. Throughout the majority of Alice's journey, Tweedledee and Tweedledum were there to guide and support her in the most difficult times with humor and energy. Myers and Langdon were the perfect team, matching each other's energy and tone at all times and were never inconsistent or faulty with their reactions and spirit.

The set and costumes of the production helped tremendously in demonstrating Alice's transformation throughout her journey. The costumes were creatively crafted to begin the show on a mostly black and white scale and slowly transform into a grey, then colorful scale as Alice's life and beliefs became more vibrant as well. The set made a similar transformation, beginning with an almost bare stage, and ending with greenery and many vibrant set pieces and props. Another notable crew element was the efforts made by the marketing and publicity crew. Not only did they advertise the show in Ross High School and the local community, but they held a book drive collecting 1000 books for those in need and had local children participate in a display celebrating individuality.

The students involved in Ross High School's "Alice in Wonderland" put on a truly heartwarming and successful show full of energy and detail, celebrating the dignity and power of the individual.

Juli Russ
Highlands High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10

A White Rabbit, a Mad Hatter, a murderous Red Queen, and a teenage girl on a journey to discover her own self worth. What could possibly go wrong? Tempered by humor, fantasy, and one peculiar misunderstanding after another, Ross High School's cast and crew left nothing to the imagination as they swept the audience through the looking glass and into the uncharted world of "Alice in Wonderland".

Derived from Lewis Carroll's classic nineteenth century tale, the theatrical rendition of "Alice in Wonderland" follows a young girl named Alice who chases a white hare down his rabbit hole, and upon doing so, tumbles immediately into an awe-inspiring realm of illusion, trickery, and bizarre companionship. Alice is ultimately forced to confront her insecurities and gain confidence in herself in order for her to find exactly where she belongs and return home.

The cast and crew of Ross High School's performance excelled both in acting talent and technical nuances. Without a doubt, this fairly new theater program, including only twenty-seven students total, proved that it is paving a well-founded path to further onstage success in the future.

Chyanne Jackson, the spitting image of jubilant, naive Alice, illustrated absolute preparation for the unique challenges introduced by her role. The steady progression and development of Alice's character in the story demanded a level of nuance and understanding that Jackson gripped with full force. In addition, Joshua Inman's portrayal of the White Rabbit was both comical and eerie at times, the latter specifically during the trial scene in which he maniacally wielded a battle axe in anticipation of the Red Queen's verdict.

Twins Tweedledee and Tweedledum, respectively played by actresses Carolyn Myers and Lydia-Rose Langdon, flirted with suspense as they tested Alice throughout her time in Wonderland, specifically during the Walrus and the Carpenter scene. Many of the cast members were given the individual freedom to learn and develop the characteristics of their specific roles throughout the rehearsal process; this was evident during the show, as each actor seemed consequently more intimately connected with their role.

Not to be overlooked were the astounding technical aspects of the production which served as the perfect accompaniment to such a fantastical story. The set, designed by Julia Antoine and her crew, was punctuated with a variety of picture frames and foliage hanging from the batten. In addition, trees made of only chicken wire and tissue paper lined the sides of the stage, entrapping the audience in Wonderland's eternal forest. Throughout the performance, as Alice gained confidence in herself, the set's color scheme slowly transformed from grayscale to be vibrantly saturated. A standout technical hallmark of the show was the ukulele player who was featured during the opening sequence and continually reappeared throughout transitional scenes of the show. All of the music she performed was self-composed, a significant feat.

Ross High School's dreamlike production of "Alice in Wonderland" told the quintessential tale of Alice's journey to self-discovery while also illustrating that the challenges we often face can ultimately help us to find where we truly belong.

Corinne Webster
Colerain High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle! In Ross High School's production of "Alice in Wonderland ," the audience follows Alice down the rabbit hole where she has tea time, recites poems, and plays the Queen of Hearts in a fun game of Croquet. As she goes on her journey, she learns from her ignorance and discovers she is where she belongs.

"Alice in Wonderland" was originally a novel written in 1865 entitled "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ."
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (pseudonym Lewis Carroll), the author, was known for incorporating logic and fantasy into his works. The novel was soon adapted into many movies including versions by Disney and Tim Burton . The play version was adapted by Charlotte Chorpenning .

Alice , played by Chyanne Jackson , is a girl who is just trying to figure herself out like anyone going through middle school. Chyanne maintained an immature attitude that fit the role very well. She would always solely be one emotion and then flip to another one like a light switch. Throughout the story, Alice grows and becomes her own person. Chyanne grew with her and blossomed at the end.

Tweedledee and Tweedledum , played by Carolyn Myers and Lydia-Rose Langdon respectively, were the definition of a dynamic duo. Their vibes were always on the same wavelength and never missed a beat. The mood swings such as excited to sassy were funny and always got some laughs throughout the theater. The duo shaped Alice's confidence, basically being her coaches on the sideline, cheering her on. Dormouse , played by Lake Scalf , was the highlight of the night. Even though his role was small, his presence filled the room. The best moment of the night was the Tea Party where he would vigorously shake the teapot as he nonchalantly screamed, "twinkle twinkle!" Lake's performance was HILARIOUS and iconic.

Any production wouldn't be possible without the wonderful crew. In the beginning, the set was black and white, representing Alice's personality. As she grew as a person, the prop's color scheme grew with her. The costumes were unique and fit the theme properly. Tweedledee and Tweedledum's costumes connected them, showing they are an unbreakable bond. Alice's changed right after intermission from a black and white dress to the classic blue and white dress, showing her growth as a person. A creative addition to the production was the ukulele player, Abbie Webster . The music she wrote fit the aesthetic of the play and really helped with transitions.

"Alice in Wonderland" was a unique show to watch and was entertaining. The play answered the question of who a person truly is and allows the audience to experience the development of a character. People can change for the good, and this was a perfect example.

Caitlin Boutwell
Ursuline Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3

Whimsical, wacky, and wonderful. Those are three words typically associated with "Alice in Wonderland," but seeing past the looking glass gives insight into a story about confidence and self-growth. Ross High School's "Alice in Wonderland" captured the story about how a beloved young girl arrives in Wonderland and learns to find courage within herself.

Best remembered by Disney's animation or Tim Burton's live-action film, "Alice in Wonderland" traces the journey of a young protagonist, Alice, as she enters into Wonderland and meets the wild creatures which include the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and the March Hare, just to name a few.

Ross's RAM Theatre Project's production of "Alice in Wonderland" moved past the bright costumes and colorful characters to reveal themes that extended far beyond the rabbit hole.

The cast was anchored by the titular character, Alice, played by Chyanne Jackson. Her portrayal embodied the childish antics of her character. As the play progressed, Jackson's acting changed with the development and increased confidence of Alice. This is best shown when the trial occurs as Alice now feels empowered to stand up to the King of Hearts. Another leading character was the White Rabbit, played by Joshua Inman. Inman concentrated on the eccentric behavior of the rabbit shown through his dramatic expressions and the assistance of a small black fan. He produced an extensive number of laughs when interacting with the axe and chasing the Dormouse off stage.

Other notable cast members include the iconic duo of Tweedledee and Tweedledum, played by Carolyn Myers and Lydia-Rose Langdon. The two actresses entertained many through their retelling of "The Walrus and the Carpenter" which involved laughing, gasping, and even crying. The Mad Hatter, played by Annie Turco, perfectly acted out the wackiness of her character. Turco's back-bending antics and joyful laugh proved for a perfect association between the actress and the character. The Dormouse (Lake Scalf) thrilled many with his comedic timing of "Twinkle, Twinkle." However, the cast was stronger together than apart. The entire ensemble helped to boost the confidence of Alice, propelling the plot, yet were drastically different and left distinct, memorable impressions of others.

Technical elements amplified the theme of confidence throughout the show. Costumes, made by Lily Welsh and Sophia Lunsford, and sets, designed by Julia Antoine and crew, collaborated to identify color as an important device for the play. Alice's dresses change distinctly between acts, displaying her confidence level changing. The Wonderland characters' costumes do not change drastically, although, representing their constant self- confidence. The set also changes between the acts, growing more colorful as pink, blue and green flowers descend from the fly system. The show begins and ends with Alice stepping through a frame; however, the beginning frame purely consists of black and white, while the second is livelier because of Alice's blue dress.

Ross High School's "Alice in Wonderland" utilized an energetic cast and inventive crew to push boundaries and focus not only on the kooky tone of the original story, but the development of self-confidence that Alice, and every child, experiences.

Mary Defoor
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4

With a flip of a fan and a fall down the rabbit hole, Ross High School brought whimsy and fantasy to life with their fanciful production of "Alice in Wonderland ."

A classic tale to reprise, the show closely followed the book in its telling, carefully avoiding the precedents put in place by both Disney adaptations. The story follows Alice as she navigates Wonderland , gathering advice from the Caterpillar , attending a Mad Tea Party, learning the quadrille, hearing the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter , as well as defending the Knave of Hearts at the trial. This adaptation blends both "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" into one unforgettable adventure.

The production's creative use of color and imagination captured the message of the original story. As the show went on, the somber black and white of the beginning scenes gave way to vibrant greenery and vivid color through changes in costume and set design as Alice grew more confidence throughout the plot. This clever visual helped illustrate the message of the show as well as carry on its momentum.

The show drew its energy from a variety of talent as well. Joshua Inman's sassy White Rabbit provided a fresh take on the role with his expressive fan flips and cheeky demeanor. Connor Burcham's King of Hearts brought nobility and personality to the traditionally subdued character. Carolyn Myers as Tweedledee and Lydia Rose Langdon as Tweedledum shined in their roles with synchronized movement and mannerisms.

Shoutouts to notable moments include Lake Scalf's Dormouse , who drew a delighted laugh with every utterance of "Twinkle! Twinkle! Twinkle!" as well as Isabella Saylor's striking performance as The Cook in the trial scene.

The tech elements were showcased through the brisk scene changes, often occurring while a character was still speaking onstage. The crew made creative use of lighting and set design to build its clever visuals, with every costume perfectly summarizing the characters' personalities, and they developed. Abbie Websters' ukulele playing during important scenes and transitions which provided a beautiful undertone that accentuated the action onstage from her left stage chair.

Ross High School's "Alice in Wonderland" has you peering through the looking glass with its insightful use of creativity and imagination in bringing this classic tale to the stage.

Emma Erion
Mercy McAuley High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5

Ross High School's whimsical production of "Alice in Wonderland" centered around the question "Who are you?" In their take on the iconic story, they focused on Alice gaining confidence and coming into her own on her formative journey through Wonderland. As she encountered many creatures along the way, from rabbits to turtles, she became able to stand up for herself against them as they tested her with various riddles and even a croquet match.

The element that really anchored the show was the various Wonderland creatures' ability to make strong and consistent character choices and to keep them up, even when they weren't the main focus of the scene that was playing out.

As a large mirror frame descended onto the stage, Alice (Chyanne Jackson) stepped "through the looking glass," and into the magic of Wonderland. Her first encounter was with the constantly late White Rabbit, played by Joshua Inman. Inman added sass to his character by strutting around the stage and scoffing when Alice's character did something wrong. One of his comedic highlights was when, after he delivered the line "We're all made here," he stuck his tongue out and made bug eyes. Next, she came across the wacky Duchess and her grumpy Cook, played by Lexie Gibbons and Isabella Saylor respectively. Saylor emphasized the grumpiness of her character by stomping when she had to move around the stage, and Gibbons always had wide, crazy eyes to show that the Duchess wasn't entirely sane.

As Alice was venturing through Wonderland, there was a brief pause in her journey when the glum Mock Turtle (Ryan Felix) gave a rendition of the nonsensical song, "Beautiful Soup." While the song may be silly, Felix performed it well and had a very clear tone. One of the comedic highlights came from the Dormouse, portrayed by Lake Scalf. The Hatter (Annie Turco) asked Alice to recite "Twinkle,Twinkle," and the drowsy Dormouse believes he is supposed to recite the poem. Scalf hilariously popped his head out just barely from the oversized teapot he was inside of, and began to mutter "Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle."

The sets and costumes were the main technical highlights of the show. In the first act, the sets and costumes reflected each other in that they were both in grayscale tones to symbolize that Alice still felt very afraid and timid. In the second act, more color was added to the minimalistic set with the addition of roses, and the characters' costumes also got more vibrant to show that Alice was growing more sure of herself. A particularly stellar costume moment was having Alice in a black dress with only a blue bow in Act One and then making her entire dress blue in Act Two.

Ross High School's unique production of "Alice in Wonderland" was absolutely WONDERful.

Lizzy Schutte
Mercy McAuley High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6

Ross High School created a whimsical world of fantasy, far down a rabbit hole, in their production of "Alice in Wonderland." Their unique and fun-loving telling of a traditional story made for an evening filled with laughter and creativity.

In "Alice in Wonderland," the title character falls down a rabbit hole into a world full of novelties, such as talking caterpillars and singing "mock turtles." As she sets off on an adventure to find her way home, she makes her way to a path of self-discovery and renewed confidence.

The White Rabbit, played by Joshua Inman, provided a central point of comedy throughout the evening. With timely delivery of humorous lines, he led Alice on her journey while causing plenty of laughs. Alice, played by Chyanne Jackson, did a terrific job of capturing hearts as she made her way through Wonderland.

Other primary sources of comedy included the Mock Turtle, played by Ryan Felix, and the Dormouse, who was brought to life by Lake Scalf. Every time Felix stepped onto the stage, laughter was sure to follow. Also, Scalf's iconic repetition of, "twinkle, twinkle, twinkle," was charming throughout the performance. Most certainly not to be missed in the production was Connor Burcham, who played the King of Hearts. Burcham's comedy shone through his body language which evoked plenty of laughter as he played a key role in the second act.

The crew of "Alice in Wonderland" certainly put in their share of hard work. Sound cues were not missed throughout the production, and the set, while minimal, was creative and well-made. Special mention, as well, to Abbie Webster for the ambiance she provided throughout the evening with her talent on the ukulele.

Overall, Ross High School created a fun- filled adventure through Wonderland, wrought with creativity and fun!

Mattie Flynn
Mercy McAuley High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7

Ross High School took a jump down the rabbit hole in their imaginative production of "Alice in Wonderland ."

"Alice in Wonderland ," originally a book by Lewis Carrol , is a literary classic. It has been converted into many different versions including plays, musicals, and movies. It follows the very whimsical tale of young Alice and her journey through Wonderland , a magical land down a rabbit hole. Along her journey, Alice meets many eccentric characters such as the White Rabbit , the Mad Hatter , Tweedledee and Tweedledum , and the Red Queen . This nonsensical story culminates into a trial to find out who ate the Red Queen's tarts.

Ross High School put on a very fun production of "Alice in Wonderland ". Their set, beginning as monochrome black and white and then changing to all color in the second act, was a creative way to show Alice's progression through Wonderland . The cast handled the wordy script and idiosyncratic characters well.

The play's name sake, Alice , played by Chyanne Jackson , was very fine. Jackson made smart choices to give her character more life and the childhood innocence needed. Playing counter to Jackson was Joshua Inman , who played the White Rabbit . Inman's sassy take on the White Rabbit was unique and worked well in the atmosphere of the production. He added many comedic moments to the play. Tweedledee and Tweedledum , played by Carolyn Myers and Lydia-Rose Langdon respectively, complemented each other well. Their sophisticated air of acting contrasted well with the folly of their characters.

Annie Turco played on the madness of her character, the Mad Hatter , with cackling laughs and exaggerated actions. Lake Scalf demonstrated good comedic timing with the Dormouse's "twinkle, twinkle, twinkles", making such simple lines funny. Isabella Saylor was also quite humorous as The Cook . Saylor created an air of arrogance and absurdity that helped her character come to life.

The costume crew, consisting of Lily Welsh and Sophia Lonsford , selected creative choices that fit the monochromatic aspect of the first act and the colored change in the second act. The Caterpillar's costume was a favorite. It was a long Victorian- style coat with blue hands attached to give the many-legged characteristic of a caterpillar. The teapot the Dormouse wore was another notable costume piece. It was an inventive way to make a teapot, and the concept was executed well. The marketing and publicity team (Maya Soundappan , Ellie Naehring , and Rio Price ) headed a charity book drive and created a nice lobby display. A notable addition to the production was Abbie Webster . She played the ukulele during different parts of the production, most of which were originals. It created a nice atmosphere and demonstrated much talent.

Ross High School channelled the madness of "Alice in Wonderland" into a fantastical production.

Mehryn Toole
Highlands High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8

Down the rabbit hole we go with Ross High School's performance of "Alice and Wonderland !" Whirled into Wonderland with a flutter of playing cards and a splash of tea, Ross High School took a new spin on the classic fairytale with a simple question: who are you?

"Alice in Wonderland ," based on the book by Lewis Carroll , brings to life a whimsical world of nonsense and impossibility, throwing innocent young Alice into the wonder of her own imagination. Swept into a journey of color and contradiction, Alice must not only find her way through the twists and turns of Wonderland , but also, who she is as a young lady.

Ross High School's performance pulled the audience through the picture frame and into their world of wonder; with an energetic pack of actors and a magical tech setup, this show was a party fit for a (red) queen !

Taking on the role of the White Rabbit , Joshua Inman embraced the ambiguous nature of his character, guiding Alice , but leading her down a few winding rabbit holes along the way. Inman led with an enviable energy, welcoming the nonsense of Wonderland because, "we're all mad here!" By balancing comedy and mystery, Inman was able to portray the complex nature of his character perfectly!

Alongside the leads, Tweedledee and Tweedledum greeted Alice (and the audience) with the proper handshake as they whirled her into the land of storytelling and poetry. As perfect mirror images of each other, this dynamic duo pulled off the nonsense of their characters without a hitch! Using silly mannerisms and a package-deal dynamic to dominate the stage, these two supported Alice perfectly along her journey of self-discovery, with a few laughs along the way.

A setting like Wonderland demands a devoted technical team, and Ross High School delivered. With a predominately black and white set, Julia Antoine and her crew were able to subtly add color and greenery as the show progressed to represent Alice's growth as a young woman. Costumes followed this metaphor as well, with Alice's switch from her Act I black and white dress to a blue one in Act II. These hints of added color allowed for the message of growth and maturity to resonate and complemented the live performance beautifully!

As Alice stepped back out of the picture frame, she drifted out of the fantasy of Wonderland, but she had found her answer to the voices beckoning, "who are you?"

Alex Bertucci
Campbell County High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9

From the time Alice fell down the rabbit hole at the top of the show, both she and the audience were transported to the incredible world of Wonderland with Ross High School's production of "Alice in Wonderland."

Everyone has seen Alice In Wonderland; it's a classic. This version of the show was based on the novel written by Lewis Carroll and was dramatized by Charlotte Chorpenning , and it tells the story of the young girl named Alice, played by Chyanne Jackson , and her strange adventures in Wonderland. . She has many encounters with the White Rabbit , portrayed by Joshua Inman , the Mad Hatter (Annie Turco), and the Caterpillar (Anna McDonald) . Eventually, Alice finds herself playing croquet with a decapitation-obsessed Red Queen (Somer Murray).

One of the biggest highlights was Tweedledee and Tweedledum's performance. They told an engaging and comedic story of the "The Walrus & The Carpenter ." Another highlight would have to be the hilarious performance of Lake Scalf as the Dormouse and his constant "twinkles."

The leads of the production, Alice (Chyanne Jackson) and the White Rabbit (Joshua Inman), did a great job portraying their roles and always staying in character. The show was very focused on Alice's evolution through the story, and Chyanne Jackson did a great job showing her arc change.

The show was wonderfully rounded out by the supporting cast. The Mock Turtle, portrayed by Ryan Felix, played a big role in the comedic aspects of the show, and his singing was beautiful!

Technically, the show really shined. As the character of Alice grew, the set changed. The show started with a plain, mainly black and white set, but as Alice became more confident and surer of herself, the set became more vibrant and full of color.

Overall, the world of Wonderland was wonderfully explored in this production of "Alice in Wonderland," and it's one you are sure to remember.