Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures Chapter 3
at Thomas A. Edison High School

Reviewed on March 20, 2021

Zoe Benton
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Riddles and rhymes begin to fill the air, as the audience hears a strange hatter and hare. It's always teatime here, you see, in Thomas A. Edison High School's "Alice's Looking Glass Adventures: Chapter 3!" This podcast was full of all the crazy and entertaining scenes of Wonderland from Lewis Carroll's beloved classic. From flamingo croquet to the Queen's deadly habits, this production was simply fantastic.

This podcast was based on Lewis Carroll's books "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass", which tell the imaginative tale of a young girl's trip through a fantastical world. Edison Theatre Company transformed the stage play adaptation of this world by Alice Gerstenberg into a 4-episode radio adventure. Chapter 3 followed Alice (Charlotte Chozick) as she encountered the Mad Hatter (Lars Irvin), the March Hare (Luke Pietrykowski), and the Dormouse (Landen Chanthaphanij) in their teatime, met a noisy Duchess (Tiffany Thompson), and played a very odd game of croquet with the Queen and King of Hearts (Isabelle Anderson and Campbell Wood).

This performance kept the audience engaged and intrigued. All of the audio lined up very nicely, and the sounds were well placed. Each of the performers presented a unique character, making it easy for the audience to distinguish who was who -- a feat that can be difficult in auditory performances.

Charlotte Chozick's portrayal of Alice provided all of the argumentative sass and charming intelligence of the classic character. Her vocal range conveyed emotion without being over the top and maintained the poise that young Alice is known for. That wacky and sometimes spooky Cheshire Cat (Dylan Tootle) left a strong impression on the audience with his mysterious voice and eerie laugh. Pietrykowski, Irvin, and Chanthaphanij worked well together as the March Hare, Mad Hatter, and Dormouse with their nonsensical riddles and tea shenanigans. Their unique voices brought the wacky scene to life.

The King of Hearts and his woeful longing for an attached head were expressed wonderfully by Campbell Wood. The beheading-obsessed Queen of Hearts, played by Isabelle Anderson, brilliantly conveyed the exciting hotheadedness of her majesty. Another lady of questionable judgement, the Duchess was played wonderfully by Tiffany Thompson, who expressed the discontent of the caretaker well.

The many sound effects of this show truly worked to create Wonderland. From clinking teacups to echoing narration, these creative commotions allowed the audience to visualize the performance without the set or costumes. Aiden Yancy did a fantastic job as the Sound Consultant on the production, and his hard work is what made this podcast rival professional work. One effect that truly set the tone of the scene was the echoing narration in the forest, which left a haunting impression.

Thomas A. Edison High School's 3rd installment of "Alice's Looking Glass Adventures" was a perfect balance of eerie, odd, and fun. It made the audience wonder what will come next and drew them in to find the next chapter in Alice's story. All four episodes of this production are available on YouTube through the channel Edison HS Theatre, and they are certain to be filled with all the oddities and fantasies of Wonderland.

Zoe Benton
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Riddles and rhymes begin to fill the air, as the audience hears a strange hatter and hare. It's always teatime here, you see, in Thomas A. Edison High School's "Alice's Looking Glass Adventures: Chapter 3!" This podcast was full of all the crazy and entertaining scenes of Wonderland from Lewis Carroll's beloved classic. From flamingo croquet to the Queen's deadly habits, this production was simply fantastic.

This podcast was based on Lewis Carroll's books "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass", which tell the imaginative tale of a young girl's trip through a fantastical world. Edison Theatre Company transformed the stage play adaptation of this world by Alice Gerstenberg into a 4-episode radio adventure. Chapter 3 followed Alice (Charlotte Chozick) as she encountered the Mad Hatter (Lars Irvin), the March Hare (Luke Pietrykowski), and the Dormouse (Landen Chanthaphanij) in their teatime, met a noisy Duchess (Tiffany Thompson), and played a very odd game of croquet with the Queen and King of Hearts (Isabelle Anderson and Campbell Wood).

This performance kept the audience engaged and intrigued. All of the audio lined up very nicely, and the sounds were well placed. Each of the performers presented a unique character, making it easy for the audience to distinguish who was who -- a feat that can be difficult in auditory performances.

Charlotte Chozick's portrayal of Alice provided all of the argumentative sass and charming intelligence of the classic character. Her vocal range conveyed emotion without being over the top and maintained the poise that young Alice is known for. That wacky and sometimes spooky Cheshire Cat (Dylan Tootle) left a strong impression on the audience with his mysterious voice and eerie laugh. Pietrykowski, Irvin, and Chanthaphanij worked well together as the March Hare, Mad Hatter, and Dormouse with their nonsensical riddles and tea shenanigans. Their unique voices brought the wacky scene to life.

The King of Hearts and his woeful longing for an attached head were expressed wonderfully by Campbell Wood. The beheading-obsessed Queen of Hearts, played by Isabelle Anderson, brilliantly conveyed the exciting hotheadedness of her majesty. Another lady of questionable judgement, the Duchess was played wonderfully by Tiffany Thompson, who expressed the discontent of the caretaker well.

The many sound effects of this show truly worked to create Wonderland. From clinking teacups to echoing narration, these creative commotions allowed the audience to visualize the performance without the set or costumes. Aiden Yancy did a fantastic job as the Sound Consultant on the production, and his hard work is what made this podcast rival professional work. One effect that truly set the tone of the scene was the echoing narration in the forest, which left a haunting impression.

Thomas A. Edison High School's 3rd installment of "Alice's Looking Glass Adventures" was a perfect balance of eerie, odd, and fun. It made the audience wonder what will come next and drew them in to find the next chapter in Alice's story. All four episodes of this production are available on YouTube through the channel Edison HS Theatre, and they are certain to be filled with all the oddities and fantasies of Wonderland.

Emilia Ermanoski
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Curious to see what's on the other side of the looking glass? Follow the story of Alice, as she discovers the wondrous world of Thomas A. Edison High School's Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures: Chapter 3, a humorous, whimsical retelling of the legendary tale for all ages to enjoy.

The story opened with the third chapter of a four-chapter series, in which young Alice passes through a garden and wanders right into a tea party uninvited. There, she meets the bantering March Hare and Mad Hatter, along with a particularly sleepy Dormouse. After the tea party descends into madness, Alice is pulled into ever-stranger situations. From meeting a peculiar, vanishing cat to finding herself in a game of croquet with the Queen of Hearts, Alice encounters many more of Wonderland's most curious creatures along the way.

This radio-play was an inventive solution to the restrictions of creating a theatre production during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall, the students voted to produce a version of Alice in Wonderland, and the public domain stage play by Alice Gerstenberg, which was based on the books by Lewis Carroll, was just the right fit. Jeffrey Walker, the Edison theatre director, adapted this stage play into a podcast, cast the roles, and edited and produced the radio show. The show was split into four parts for rehearsal and was eventually organized into four chapters.

This podcast-take on a stage play exemplified the actors' ability to adapt and experiment with a different medium for performance. Each actor made their character's voices unique and differentiable. Charlotte Chozick, who played Alice, exemplified this through her clear and youthful voice. Chozick painted the perfect picture of Alice's wonder and bewilderment through her skilled diction and intonation. Another noteworthy performance was that of Landen Chanthaphanij, who portrayed the Dormouse. Chanthaphanij presented the nocturnal rodent with amusing snores and sleepy mutterings. And of course, Wonderland wouldn't be the same without the iconic charm of the Cheshire Cat. Dylan Tootle presented the up-to-no-good feline with a teasing voice and a shrill laugh. The Cheshire Cat's famous toothy grin could almost be heard through Tootle's inflection.

The show demonstrated an engaging style of performance, consisting of many creative ways to perform without the physicality of theatre. Its podcast style echoed that of a storyteller telling a story to an eagerly listening audience, as every voice and sound presented came together to help create an imaginative scene. The specific choice of music and sound effects (courtesy of Epidemic Sound) emphasized each scene's purpose. Whether it was the extravagant, jovial melodies or tableware shattering into pieces, each sound created a fitting ambiance for the play's comedic chaos. Additionally, the production team made an excellent decision to accompany the play with a slideshow, which decorated the screen with entertaining illustrations of scenes and characters.

The several months of production demonstrated the diligence of the cast and crew. As this play is audio-heavy, technical elements such as sound mixing and recording were crucial. Each voice part was recorded separately and then mixed with the music and sound effects, evidence of how detail-oriented the production team was. Aiden Yancy, the sound consultant, provided assistance for the show's audio quality, making for a delightful listen.

Take a moment to venture through the looking glass, and experience Thomas A. Edison High School's storytelling marvel.

Emilia Ermanoski
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Curious to see what's on the other side of the looking glass? Follow the story of Alice, as she discovers the wondrous world of Thomas A. Edison High School's Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures: Chapter 3, a humorous, whimsical retelling of the legendary tale for all ages to enjoy.

The story opened with the third chapter of a four-chapter series, in which young Alice passes through a garden and wanders right into a tea party uninvited. There, she meets the bantering March Hare and Mad Hatter, along with a particularly sleepy Dormouse. After the tea party descends into madness, Alice is pulled into ever-stranger situations. From meeting a peculiar, vanishing cat to finding herself in a game of croquet with the Queen of Hearts, Alice encounters many more of Wonderland's most curious creatures along the way.

This radio-play was an inventive solution to the restrictions of creating a theatre production during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall, the students voted to produce a version of Alice in Wonderland, and the public domain stage play by Alice Gerstenberg, which was based on the books by Lewis Carroll, was just the right fit. Jeffrey Walker, the Edison theatre director, adapted this stage play into a podcast, cast the roles, and edited and produced the radio show. The show was split into four parts for rehearsal and was eventually organized into four chapters.

This podcast-take on a stage play exemplified the actors' ability to adapt and experiment with a different medium for performance. Each actor made their character's voices unique and differentiable. Charlotte Chozick, who played Alice, exemplified this through her clear and youthful voice. Chozick painted the perfect picture of Alice's wonder and bewilderment through her skilled diction and intonation. Another noteworthy performance was that of Landen Chanthaphanij, who portrayed the Dormouse. Chanthaphanij presented the nocturnal rodent with amusing snores and sleepy mutterings. And of course, Wonderland wouldn't be the same without the iconic charm of the Cheshire Cat. Dylan Tootle presented the up-to-no-good feline with a teasing voice and a shrill laugh. The Cheshire Cat's famous toothy grin could almost be heard through Tootle's inflection.

The show demonstrated an engaging style of performance, consisting of many creative ways to perform without the physicality of theatre. Its podcast style echoed that of a storyteller telling a story to an eagerly listening audience, as every voice and sound presented came together to help create an imaginative scene. The specific choice of music and sound effects (courtesy of Epidemic Sound) emphasized each scene's purpose. Whether it was the extravagant, jovial melodies or tableware shattering into pieces, each sound created a fitting ambiance for the play's comedic chaos. Additionally, the production team made an excellent decision to accompany the play with a slideshow, which decorated the screen with entertaining illustrations of scenes and characters.

The several months of production demonstrated the diligence of the cast and crew. As this play is audio-heavy, technical elements such as sound mixing and recording were crucial. Each voice part was recorded separately and then mixed with the music and sound effects, evidence of how detail-oriented the production team was. Aiden Yancy, the sound consultant, provided assistance for the show's audio quality, making for a delightful listen.

Take a moment to venture through the looking glass, and experience Thomas A. Edison High School's storytelling marvel.

Clare A'Hearn
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

"It's always teatime" in the enchanted world of Wonderland. As the audience settled in to listen to Thomas A. Edison High School's "Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures: Chapter 3," they felt the time-bending magic of the classic tale as it brought them back to days of childlike amazement.

Based on Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," Alice Gerstenberg's stage play dramatization was adapted into a radio-style performance by Thomas A. Edison High School's theatre director, Jeffrey Walker, to accommodate a virtual format. Without the ability to physically build the world of Wonderland, the voices of the actors behaved as catalysts of the beloved characters and laid the foundation for audience imagination. This audio interpretation commenced as Alice came upon a garden tea party, encountered adored characters, and began a game of croquet. The journey of Alice is one of comedy and fantasy and Thomas A. Edison High School perfectly captured both elements in their performance.

The youthful and inquisitive Alice was delightfully portrayed by Charlotte Chozick. Despite a juvenile age, Alice has moments of sophistication and Chozick aptly navigated the demanded vocal contrast. In the commotion of the scenes, Chozick's Alice shone through with a timely mid-Atlantic accent and a curious intonation. As Chozick provided a distinguishable tone to Alice, the compelling lilt gave familiar comfort to the listener through the clamorous journey.

The onset of the adaptation was the emblematic tea party featuring the Mad Hatter (Lars Irvin) and the Dormouse (Landen Chanthaphanij). Irvin embodied the madness of the Mad Hatter through distinct vocal variety and commitment to each phrase spoken. Complete with a rendition of the splendidly absurd "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat," Irvin skillfully personified the Mad Hatter through only his voice. Contrasting the quickness of the Mad Hatter was the drowsy Dormouse. Chanthaphanij provided the scene with sounds of faint snoring throughout and when delivering lines combined intonation with hypnotic yawns. Together with Chozick, the group initiated the zany assortment of characters and stories that lay ahead on Alice's journey.

Dylan Tootle proved in his whimsical portrayal that any rendition of this classic tale is not complete without the mischievous Cheshire Cat. The rhythmic timing of Tootle aided itself to the eccentric character and his infectious laughter properly tied together the bizarre creature. Additionally, outlandish were the Queen and King of Hearts voiced by Isabelle Anderson and Campbell Wood. Employing posh vocal inflections, Anderson dominated the game of croquet and the ending of the radio-play accompanied by Wood in an intrinsic yet contrasting accent.

The actors though physically distanced were connected by the technical work of the sound consultant, Aiden Yancy. The separately recorded actors were brought together in commotion and emotion by Yancy who commanded the Wonderland that the audience experienced. Yancy added authenticity to the tale through echoes, overlapping, and enchanting music which set the tone for each peculiar scene and built a world where magic was right at home. The challenges of a virtual performance were artfully maneuvered by Yancy and the confines of a radio-style play were broadened by such artistic choices.

The charming actors, technical elements, and spirit of the performance left audiences "falling, falling, falling" in love with Thomas A. Edison High School's adaptation of "Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures."

Clare A'Hearn
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

"It's always teatime" in the enchanted world of Wonderland. As the audience settled in to listen to Thomas A. Edison High School's "Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures: Chapter 3," they felt the time-bending magic of the classic tale as it brought them back to days of childlike amazement.

Based on Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," Alice Gerstenberg's stage play dramatization was adapted into a radio-style performance by Thomas A. Edison High School's theatre director, Jeffrey Walker, to accommodate a virtual format. Without the ability to physically build the world of Wonderland, the voices of the actors behaved as catalysts of the beloved characters and laid the foundation for audience imagination. This audio interpretation commenced as Alice came upon a garden tea party, encountered adored characters, and began a game of croquet. The journey of Alice is one of comedy and fantasy and Thomas A. Edison High School perfectly captured both elements in their performance.

The youthful and inquisitive Alice was delightfully portrayed by Charlotte Chozick. Despite a juvenile age, Alice has moments of sophistication and Chozick aptly navigated the demanded vocal contrast. In the commotion of the scenes, Chozick's Alice shone through with a timely mid-Atlantic accent and a curious intonation. As Chozick provided a distinguishable tone to Alice, the compelling lilt gave familiar comfort to the listener through the clamorous journey.

The onset of the adaptation was the emblematic tea party featuring the Mad Hatter (Lars Irvin) and the Dormouse (Landen Chanthaphanij). Irvin embodied the madness of the Mad Hatter through distinct vocal variety and commitment to each phrase spoken. Complete with a rendition of the splendidly absurd "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat," Irvin skillfully personified the Mad Hatter through only his voice. Contrasting the quickness of the Mad Hatter was the drowsy Dormouse. Chanthaphanij provided the scene with sounds of faint snoring throughout and when delivering lines combined intonation with hypnotic yawns. Together with Chozick, the group initiated the zany assortment of characters and stories that lay ahead on Alice's journey.

Dylan Tootle proved in his whimsical portrayal that any rendition of this classic tale is not complete without the mischievous Cheshire Cat. The rhythmic timing of Tootle aided itself to the eccentric character and his infectious laughter properly tied together the bizarre creature. Additionally, outlandish were the Queen and King of Hearts voiced by Isabelle Anderson and Campbell Wood. Employing posh vocal inflections, Anderson dominated the game of croquet and the ending of the radio-play accompanied by Wood in an intrinsic yet contrasting accent.

The actors though physically distanced were connected by the technical work of the sound consultant, Aiden Yancy. The separately recorded actors were brought together in commotion and emotion by Yancy who commanded the Wonderland that the audience experienced. Yancy added authenticity to the tale through echoes, overlapping, and enchanting music which set the tone for each peculiar scene and built a world where magic was right at home. The challenges of a virtual performance were artfully maneuvered by Yancy and the confines of a radio-style play were broadened by such artistic choices.

The charming actors, technical elements, and spirit of the performance left audiences "falling, falling, falling" in love with Thomas A. Edison High School's adaptation of "Alice's Looking-Glass Adventures."

Rebecca Sullivan
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

"Would you like an adventure now or should we have tea first?" This past weekend, Thomas A. Edison High School put their spin on the classic tales, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. The books, written by Lewis Carroll, tell the story of Alice's dreamy adventures beyond the looking glass and into Wonderland. However, this time, like a reflection, everything in Wonderland is reversed. Edison Theatre director Jeffrey Walker adapted the full-length stage play by Alice Gernstenberg into a whirling radio-style performance. The production took the audience straight down the rabbit hole for a thrilling ride through the infamous tea party scene, a vile game of croquet with the Queen of Hearts, and into the mysterious woods with the Cheshire Cat.

Through outstanding linguistics, the cast brought Alice's adventures to life. Charlotte Chozick gave a sophisticated performance of Alice. Throughout the show, she used a distinguished intonation in order to portray the innocence and curiosity of her character. Also of note was Dylan Tootle's emotional performance as the Cheshire Cat. His portrayal of the cat's cackle was spine-chilling, helping to create an image of the enrapturing creature. Lastly, Landen Chanthaphanij, the actor depicting the Dormouse, used excellent elongated speech to intensify his character's drowsiness.

Thomas Edison High School used the radio aspects to their full advantage. Despite the fact that the audio was recorded in Google Meet, the show had wonderful sound quality. Each voice was mixed and layered on top of each other in order to divulge the audience into the chaotic atmosphere of the story. The tea party was especially well done. They used a variety of plate crashing sounds, an eminent snore for the Dormouse, and even put an upbeat song in the background. While the sounds effects could be a lot at points, it added to the absurdity of the tale and kept the magic of the fantasy alive.

In the end, Thomas A. Edison High Schools production of Alice Through the Looking Glass: Chapter 3 helped the audience take their "first step" into Wonderland through their outstanding linguistics and sound effects.

Rebecca Sullivan
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

"Would you like an adventure now or should we have tea first?" This past weekend, Thomas A. Edison High School put their spin on the classic tales, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. The books, written by Lewis Carroll, tell the story of Alice's dreamy adventures beyond the looking glass and into Wonderland. However, this time, like a reflection, everything in Wonderland is reversed. Edison Theatre director Jeffrey Walker adapted the full-length stage play by Alice Gernstenberg into a whirling radio-style performance. The production took the audience straight down the rabbit hole for a thrilling ride through the infamous tea party scene, a vile game of croquet with the Queen of Hearts, and into the mysterious woods with the Cheshire Cat.

Through outstanding linguistics, the cast brought Alice's adventures to life. Charlotte Chozick gave a sophisticated performance of Alice. Throughout the show, she used a distinguished intonation in order to portray the innocence and curiosity of her character. Also of note was Dylan Tootle's emotional performance as the Cheshire Cat. His portrayal of the cat's cackle was spine-chilling, helping to create an image of the enrapturing creature. Lastly, Landen Chanthaphanij, the actor depicting the Dormouse, used excellent elongated speech to intensify his character's drowsiness.

Thomas Edison High School used the radio aspects to their full advantage. Despite the fact that the audio was recorded in Google Meet, the show had wonderful sound quality. Each voice was mixed and layered on top of each other in order to divulge the audience into the chaotic atmosphere of the story. The tea party was especially well done. They used a variety of plate crashing sounds, an eminent snore for the Dormouse, and even put an upbeat song in the background. While the sounds effects could be a lot at points, it added to the absurdity of the tale and kept the magic of the fantasy alive.

In the end, Thomas A. Edison High Schools production of Alice Through the Looking Glass: Chapter 3 helped the audience take their "first step" into Wonderland through their outstanding linguistics and sound effects.

Mia Bridges
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

There are a few ways to reach Wonderland – stepping through a looking glass and falling down a rabbit hole both come to mind. However, by far the easiest method is putting in your earbuds and listening to Thomas A. Edison High School's amazing audio production of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures!

Alice's Looking Glass Adventures is a four-part radio play that follows young Alice as she wanders through the magical world of Wonderland. It was adapted from the 1915 stage play Alice in Wonderland by Alice Gerstenberg, which was based on Lewis Carroll's famous novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. In the third part of the production, dubbed "Chapter 3," Alice encounters the Mad Hatter and his tea party, meets the mysterious Cheshire Cat, and plays croquet with the Queen of Hearts.

Performing a play with only voice and no visuals may seem like a challenge, but the actors of Edison High School made it seem like a piece of cake. Because of every actor's use of accents, vocal tones, and signature audio tricks, each voice was easily distinguishable from the rest of the cast, allowing the audience to know which character was speaking without a problem. Not only did the cast obviously put a lot of work into their individual characters, but they also worked well together as an ensemble. They conquered the challenge of recording online with ease and perfect timing, making it seem like the characters were speaking to each other across a table instead of across the internet.

The cast of Chapter 3 was led by the amazing Charlotte Chozick as Alice. Chozick's Alice was straightforward and sophisticated in voice, which contrasted nicely with the wacky characters of Wonderland and distinguished her as the main character. However, she also made sure to play Alice as a curious, intelligent girl, creating a thoroughly lovable character. Additionally, two standout members of the supporting cast included Lars Irvin as the Mad Hatter and Dylan Tootle as the Cheshire Cat. As the first Wonderland resident the audience is introduced to in Chapter 3, Irvin's Hatter set the tone for the rest of the show as dreamlike and fun. Irvin's nonsense rhymes and riddles were perfectly comedic, as evidenced by his hilarious performance of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat." The Cheshire Cat is another iconic Wonderland character, and Tootle truly embodied the friendly feline. His vocal performance was incredibly engaging, using a teasing lilt and silly laugh to guide Alice on her way.

While the actors created the characters, the music and sound effects of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures built the setting of Wonderland. Thanks to Sound Consultant Aiden Yancy, all of Wonderland's color and magic that is traditionally created through visuals was brought to audio form. The selection of music for different scenes was utterly perfect – whether it was the almost spooky theme of the Cheshire Cat or the classical music of the Queen of Hearts' croquet game, the music chosen all succeeded in setting the mood for the play. They cued the audience for when a scene was about to change, and a new plot point or character was to be introduced. Additionally, the added sound effects made the world of Wonderland incredibly immersive. The fanfare of trumpets announced the arrival of royalty, and the clanking of teacups and snoring of the Dormouse created the soundscape for the mad tea party.

Full of whimsy and heart, Thomas Edison High School's Alice's Looking Glass Adventures brings Wonderland to life. After listening to the fantastic work of the cast and crew, you'll be grinning like the Cheshire Cat!

Mia Bridges
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

There are a few ways to reach Wonderland – stepping through a looking glass and falling down a rabbit hole both come to mind. However, by far the easiest method is putting in your earbuds and listening to Thomas A. Edison High School's amazing audio production of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures!

Alice's Looking Glass Adventures is a four-part radio play that follows young Alice as she wanders through the magical world of Wonderland. It was adapted from the 1915 stage play Alice in Wonderland by Alice Gerstenberg, which was based on Lewis Carroll's famous novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. In the third part of the production, dubbed "Chapter 3," Alice encounters the Mad Hatter and his tea party, meets the mysterious Cheshire Cat, and plays croquet with the Queen of Hearts.

Performing a play with only voice and no visuals may seem like a challenge, but the actors of Edison High School made it seem like a piece of cake. Because of every actor's use of accents, vocal tones, and signature audio tricks, each voice was easily distinguishable from the rest of the cast, allowing the audience to know which character was speaking without a problem. Not only did the cast obviously put a lot of work into their individual characters, but they also worked well together as an ensemble. They conquered the challenge of recording online with ease and perfect timing, making it seem like the characters were speaking to each other across a table instead of across the internet.

The cast of Chapter 3 was led by the amazing Charlotte Chozick as Alice. Chozick's Alice was straightforward and sophisticated in voice, which contrasted nicely with the wacky characters of Wonderland and distinguished her as the main character. However, she also made sure to play Alice as a curious, intelligent girl, creating a thoroughly lovable character. Additionally, two standout members of the supporting cast included Lars Irvin as the Mad Hatter and Dylan Tootle as the Cheshire Cat. As the first Wonderland resident the audience is introduced to in Chapter 3, Irvin's Hatter set the tone for the rest of the show as dreamlike and fun. Irvin's nonsense rhymes and riddles were perfectly comedic, as evidenced by his hilarious performance of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat." The Cheshire Cat is another iconic Wonderland character, and Tootle truly embodied the friendly feline. His vocal performance was incredibly engaging, using a teasing lilt and silly laugh to guide Alice on her way.

While the actors created the characters, the music and sound effects of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures built the setting of Wonderland. Thanks to Sound Consultant Aiden Yancy, all of Wonderland's color and magic that is traditionally created through visuals was brought to audio form. The selection of music for different scenes was utterly perfect – whether it was the almost spooky theme of the Cheshire Cat or the classical music of the Queen of Hearts' croquet game, the music chosen all succeeded in setting the mood for the play. They cued the audience for when a scene was about to change, and a new plot point or character was to be introduced. Additionally, the added sound effects made the world of Wonderland incredibly immersive. The fanfare of trumpets announced the arrival of royalty, and the clanking of teacups and snoring of the Dormouse created the soundscape for the mad tea party.

Full of whimsy and heart, Thomas Edison High School's Alice's Looking Glass Adventures brings Wonderland to life. After listening to the fantastic work of the cast and crew, you'll be grinning like the Cheshire Cat!

Miranda Simpson
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Through you go, through the looking glass and into a dazzling wonderland! The entrancing performance of Thomas A. Edison High School's Alice's Looking Glass Adventures brought back sweet memories of childhood within the first few minutes. Through beautiful storytelling and hilarious voices, this performance perfectly encapsulated the chaos and dreamlike atmosphere that is so wonderfully displayed in the classic story. The original stage play written by Alice Gerstenberg was a dramatization of the books Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. It first opened in the Fine Arts Theatre and the Booth Theatre in 1915. The Thomas Edison Theatre Director, Jeffrey Walker, then adapted this play into a four-part audio only radio play. In the section of the show the audience watched, Chapter 3, Alice has arrived in the March Hare's garden, and is sent into a mess of confusion as she interacts with the guests, including the Dormouse, the Mad Hatter and more. She explores Wonderland with a game of croquet, the tea party, and the introduction of many kooky characters that could only be found in the crazy world that she has been thrown into.

Alice, played by Charlotte Chozick, perfectly displayed Alice's naivety and youthfulness, while keeping the sophisticated tones of the beloved character. Her gentle voice was distinctive from the rest of the characters and was delightful to listen to as she wandered around a world that one can only dream of. The tea party scene, with Landen Chanthaphanij as the Dormouse, Luke Pietrykowski as the March Hare and Lars Irvin as the Mad Hatter, had a fantastic energy that remained entertaining and chaotic throughout the entire scene. Lars Irvin did an outstanding job as the insane Mad Hatter, using a witty voice with lines that made absolutely no sense. His vocal variety and excited tone gave the show a spark of energy. Landen Chanthaphanij and Luke Pietrykowski acted alongside him and added humor and impeccable chemistry to the scene, contrasting each other with the sleepiness of the Dormouse and the bossy, sharp tone of the March Hare as the host. Finally, Dylan Tootle added a creepy yet enticing addition to the insanity, playing the mysterious Cheshire Cat. He had the audience hooked on his every word, with a hypnotizing voice that provided a flawless visual of the Cheshire Cat himself speaking.

This performance was truly brought to life by the Sound Consultant, Aiden Yancy. With sound effects like the crying infant, the hilarious pig noises, and the soft snoring of the Dormouse, the performance became even more irresistible. The addition of music and sound effects truly transformed the radio play into an immersive experience and brought the world of wonder to life.

Alice's Looking Glass Adventures was a crazy, confusing, endearing, and wonderful rollercoaster that left imagination to whirl and create a beautiful visual in the audience's mind. The seamless timing of lines and pacing did not allow for any dull moments, and the sound effects and music gave an authentic feeling to the performance that would not have been the same without it. Thomas Edison's Alice's Looking Glass Adventures was a captivating show that left you in your very own wonderland.

Miranda Simpson
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Through you go, through the looking glass and into a dazzling wonderland! The entrancing performance of Thomas A. Edison High School's Alice's Looking Glass Adventures brought back sweet memories of childhood within the first few minutes. Through beautiful storytelling and hilarious voices, this performance perfectly encapsulated the chaos and dreamlike atmosphere that is so wonderfully displayed in the classic story. The original stage play written by Alice Gerstenberg was a dramatization of the books Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. It first opened in the Fine Arts Theatre and the Booth Theatre in 1915. The Thomas Edison Theatre Director, Jeffrey Walker, then adapted this play into a four-part audio only radio play. In the section of the show the audience watched, Chapter 3, Alice has arrived in the March Hare's garden, and is sent into a mess of confusion as she interacts with the guests, including the Dormouse, the Mad Hatter and more. She explores Wonderland with a game of croquet, the tea party, and the introduction of many kooky characters that could only be found in the crazy world that she has been thrown into.

Alice, played by Charlotte Chozick, perfectly displayed Alice's naivety and youthfulness, while keeping the sophisticated tones of the beloved character. Her gentle voice was distinctive from the rest of the characters and was delightful to listen to as she wandered around a world that one can only dream of. The tea party scene, with Landen Chanthaphanij as the Dormouse, Luke Pietrykowski as the March Hare and Lars Irvin as the Mad Hatter, had a fantastic energy that remained entertaining and chaotic throughout the entire scene. Lars Irvin did an outstanding job as the insane Mad Hatter, using a witty voice with lines that made absolutely no sense. His vocal variety and excited tone gave the show a spark of energy. Landen Chanthaphanij and Luke Pietrykowski acted alongside him and added humor and impeccable chemistry to the scene, contrasting each other with the sleepiness of the Dormouse and the bossy, sharp tone of the March Hare as the host. Finally, Dylan Tootle added a creepy yet enticing addition to the insanity, playing the mysterious Cheshire Cat. He had the audience hooked on his every word, with a hypnotizing voice that provided a flawless visual of the Cheshire Cat himself speaking.

This performance was truly brought to life by the Sound Consultant, Aiden Yancy. With sound effects like the crying infant, the hilarious pig noises, and the soft snoring of the Dormouse, the performance became even more irresistible. The addition of music and sound effects truly transformed the radio play into an immersive experience and brought the world of wonder to life.

Alice's Looking Glass Adventures was a crazy, confusing, endearing, and wonderful rollercoaster that left imagination to whirl and create a beautiful visual in the audience's mind. The seamless timing of lines and pacing did not allow for any dull moments, and the sound effects and music gave an authentic feeling to the performance that would not have been the same without it. Thomas Edison's Alice's Looking Glass Adventures was a captivating show that left you in your very own wonderland.

Charlie Lamb
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat". This wonderfully warped poem of the Mad Hatter embodied the delightful discombobulation of Thomas A. Edison High School's production of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures: Chapter 3.

This radio adaptation was a combination of the well-known children's stories Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. The production seamlessly combined a narrative told by the fantasy world's unique characters and charming photos from the original books. This creative use of the medium created a clear vision of the plot while still allowing for imaginative interpretations of the story. The layering of audio by Sound Consultant Aiden Yancy, specifically that of background chatter and breaking china during Alice's tea party with the Mad Hatter, added a much-appreciated level of immersion in the world of Wonderland.

All of the acting performances in this production successfully delivered on two fundamental aspects of radio shows: energy and individuality. Without these elements, the show would not have captured the distinct and at times disturbing aspects of the original source material. The bulk of this responsibility, as the name of the show suggests, rested heavily on the role of Alice, portrayed effortlessly by Charlotte Chozick. Chozick captured both Alice's curiosity toward and sophisticated disbelief of her bizarre environment and traveling companions. In a story filled with outlandish characters and talking animals of extraordinary size, the character of Alice still stood out, due in large part to Chozick's performance.

Other notable performances revolved greatly around several actors' dedication to minute details that made their characters memorable. For example, Dylan Tootle's humorous yet slightly unsettling depiction of the notorious Cheshire Cat shone in this production because of Tootle's commitment and consistency to the Cat's inquisitive diction and intonation. His exceptionally clear enunciation and vocal shifts contributed greatly to the more eerie side of the story. Another standout supporting role was that of the Dormouse, played by Landen Chanthaphanij. Although a minor character known only for his snoring at the Mad Hatter's dinner table, the Dormouse offered a lighthearted release because of Chanthaphanij's commitment to the underrated craft of loudly sleeping.

This radio production of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures: Chapter 3 provided a surprisingly immersive glimpse into a familiar yet particularly strange world, and it offered a refreshing escape from the troubles of real life.

Charlie Lamb
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat". This wonderfully warped poem of the Mad Hatter embodied the delightful discombobulation of Thomas A. Edison High School's production of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures: Chapter 3.

This radio adaptation was a combination of the well-known children's stories Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. The production seamlessly combined a narrative told by the fantasy world's unique characters and charming photos from the original books. This creative use of the medium created a clear vision of the plot while still allowing for imaginative interpretations of the story. The layering of audio by Sound Consultant Aiden Yancy, specifically that of background chatter and breaking china during Alice's tea party with the Mad Hatter, added a much-appreciated level of immersion in the world of Wonderland.

All of the acting performances in this production successfully delivered on two fundamental aspects of radio shows: energy and individuality. Without these elements, the show would not have captured the distinct and at times disturbing aspects of the original source material. The bulk of this responsibility, as the name of the show suggests, rested heavily on the role of Alice, portrayed effortlessly by Charlotte Chozick. Chozick captured both Alice's curiosity toward and sophisticated disbelief of her bizarre environment and traveling companions. In a story filled with outlandish characters and talking animals of extraordinary size, the character of Alice still stood out, due in large part to Chozick's performance.

Other notable performances revolved greatly around several actors' dedication to minute details that made their characters memorable. For example, Dylan Tootle's humorous yet slightly unsettling depiction of the notorious Cheshire Cat shone in this production because of Tootle's commitment and consistency to the Cat's inquisitive diction and intonation. His exceptionally clear enunciation and vocal shifts contributed greatly to the more eerie side of the story. Another standout supporting role was that of the Dormouse, played by Landen Chanthaphanij. Although a minor character known only for his snoring at the Mad Hatter's dinner table, the Dormouse offered a lighthearted release because of Chanthaphanij's commitment to the underrated craft of loudly sleeping.

This radio production of Alice's Looking Glass Adventures: Chapter 3 provided a surprisingly immersive glimpse into a familiar yet particularly strange world, and it offered a refreshing escape from the troubles of real life.