KMC Presents 'Alice in Wonderland'

This winter, Kapaun Mt. Carmel audiences can anticipate a classic, whimsical play. The coming production is a performance of “Alice in Wonderland.” Drama teacher Gabriel Heffernan chose a version adapted by Alice Gerstenberg, which includes elements from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass.”

Since childhood, Heffernan has appreciated the story of “Alice in Wonderland,” which inspired him to choose it for the next production.

“I love the story,” Heffernan said. “I watched a lot of ‘Alice in Wonderland,' the 1950s cartoon, when I was a kid. So I kind of grew up on it, and it is one of the first professional plays I watched, actually.”

Stage manager junior Jacob Boyzuck is working with Heffernan and the assistant stage managers, seniors Lulu Breitenbach and Bella Haude. Boyzuck said they face many challenges as they go through this show, but not without excitement.

“It's going to be a very technical show, which is going to be challenging, but it's going to be fun,” Boyzuck said. “There's going to be lots, lots of cues, and it's going to be a challenge to make sure we're all on topic and focused. I talked a lot with Mr. Heffernan to come up with ways of being organized, and I have my other two assistant stage managers to help me.”

In addition to the technicalities of the show proving to be difficult, Heffernan explained that choosing the optimal way for each element of the show to come across is complex. 

“You can go many different directions with characters and designs, and deciding on which ones to do is difficult,” Heffernan said. “It's such a different show than ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that we did before, that's a fun challenge as well.”

Boyzuck believes that the cast and crew chosen by Heffernan will come together well for the play. 

“There's a lot of chemistry with all the actors we have, which is always good, and we've got some good people on crew,” Boyzuck said.

Senior Angeli Ventresca, who plays Alice, is enthusiastic about the show.

“I’m really excited for show nights,” Ventresca said. “I’m excited to get to know everyone in the cast and I’m just excited to be able to work with everyone.”

Ventresca has participated in cast or crew for the past 10 shows, but this is her first speaking role. She explained that it will be a different experience, bringing challenges and enjoyment.

“I'm really excited, because it feels hopeful,” Ventresca said. “When I did audition, I would get casted as non-speaking roles. I feel like the biggest challenge would be getting the lines down, just because there's so many, but I feel like it'll be a fun challenge.”

Heffernan explained how everyone is increasingly enjoying the show and being creative.

“Excitement is just building across the board, from designers to actors, and it seems like everybody's kind of finding their creativity and everybody's clicking creatively,” Heffernan said. “Everybody seems to be finding their stride with things, and it's going smoothly.”

“Alice in Wonderland” will be performed Thursday, Nov. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.