The Edina High School Thespians kicked off the theater season with four shows of “Alice by Heart,” a historical twist on Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s novel, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” The musical was performed on Nov. 8, 9, and 10, with both afternoon and evening showings.
The original musical premiered in 2012 at London’s Royal National Theatre, which was written by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson. Since then, the production has performed on Broadway since 2020 at the Belasco Theatre.
“Alice by Heart” tells the story of teenagers forced into shelter in a train station following the London Blitz during World War II. Junior Elizabeth Teskey plays Alice Spencer, who must cherish the moments with her ill childhood friend Alfred Hallam, who is played by junior Daniel Fenske. Despite her friend’s limited time, Alice attempts to remain positive and enjoy the time they have left together. They escape the terrors of the outside world and find asylum in Alice’s wonderland.
The musical takes the audience chapter by chapter, transitioning in between the 1940s and Alice’s imagination. The characters take on the roles of Caroll’s beloved figures such as the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter throughout these transitions. Alfred is portrayed as the White Rabbit, constantly “running out of time” while battling his sickness.
The EHS Thespians production was complete with live music, detailed costumes, and impressive sets and props. The costumes and hairstyles allowed the actors to seamlessly transition between settings, and the production truly proved the group’s ability to change a single stage from an underground station to a whimsical wonderland in only seconds. Throughout the musical, comedy and tragedy were perfectly balanced, keeping the audience excited and attentive. The combination of the sets and lighting helped highlight the talent of the actors, capturing their emotions and helping the crowd follow along.
The soundtrack included performances of both upbeat, exciting songs like “Do You Think We Think You’re Alice,” as well as “I’ve Shrunk Enough,” an emotional track about feeling small, which is both figuratively and literally the case for Alice. The complete cast and crew received a standing ovation from the audience for their outstanding talent and hard work.
