Around 100 students, making up the cast and crew at North Ogden Junior High, have been working hard for months in anticipation of entertaining audiences in next week's production of Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. This is a fast-paced stage-adaptation of the timeless film, featuring updated dialogue and new arrangements of such classic Disney songs as: "I'm Late," "The Un-birthday Song," and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." Audiences will join Alice as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with the bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Humor is unleashed as the audience goes on a journey with the Cheshire Cat, snooty flowers, the Mad Hatter and dozens of other wonderfully wacky characters.
Many of the students involved aren't receiving their first exposure to theater, having been in several productions already. But, some are experiencing something completely new. One 8th- grade actress makes up part of the body of the bubbly and entertaining caterpillar. She says she is surprised at how much work it is. She said, "I never expected it to be this much work, but it is really fun. I would do it again." The 7th-grade actor portraying the character of "Tweedledum" agreed. He said, "I don't think I've ever done anything this fun." He said his favorite part about his character is, "It kind of matches my actual personality. I'm funny, fun, and kind of get confused a lot." Every students interviewed mentioned how much fun it was to make new friends and be a part of the play. When asked if they would do it again, every one of them answered, without hesitation, that they would.
One young actress commented on Miss Moore as a director. She said, "She is a great director. She kind of gets a little tense at times, but that's because she wants it to be great." Miss Moore said she works hard to make the theater program at N.O.J.H. a "community legacy." Her success in that goal is illustrated by the fact that several students who have participated in past plays under her direction and have since moved on to high school loved it so much they come back to help as assistant directors. Miss Moore has a great appreciation for the help, and says many aspects of the production just aren't possible without support from parents and the community. One of the assistant directors, Ben Fenton, said, "I found this is an amazing opportunity to come back to the junior high and help. I am wanting to get into a directing career and there is no better place to start than under the guidance and example of a well-trained, practiced, and talented director such as Miss Moore."
Two 9th-grade actresses playing the parts of the Queen of Hearts and The Head of the Caterpillar respectively are certainly not new to theater, but both agreed that this is their favorite play they have ever been in. The reasons they gave focused on the fun music, dancing, colors, and humor that bursts from this play.
Don't miss this madcap adventure! Tickets are $5, general admission at the door. Productions are: March 12th and 13th at 6:30, and March 14th at 2:00, and 6:30. Concessions and T-shirts will be available for purchase.
Picture Captions : "The "Queen of Hearts" defends herself in court"
"Students from North Ogden Junior High rehearse for "Alice in Wonderland Jr."
"Students rehearse "The Caterpillar Scene" {for North Ogden Junior High's production of Alice in Wonderland Jr.}"
