Subheader: Guest director Jessica Wallenfels discusses Pacific’s new musical, “Alice by Heart”
This year a new major has been added to the catalog: musical theater. And no wonder: After last year’s astounding performance with Cabaret, the stage had been set.
The first show that the program will be putting on is Alice by Heart, a piece set in a London tube station during World War II and the Blitz Bombings of 1941, and riffing on the familiar tale of Alice in Wonderland.
“The music in this show is very beautiful and somewhat mournful, definitely emotional, and perfectly underscores the tragic love story at the center of the experience,” guest director Jessica Wallenfels expresses. “We also want to surprise them with this innovative take on a story they probably know well.”
While the story of Alice in Wonderland has been told in numerous different ways, students are excited to add a tragic twist to the classic tale. “The cast’s first answer to this question (of what they want to accomplish with the production) was that they want to make people cry.”
Auditions were held during the first week of school, and since then students have been rehearsing Monday through Thursday, as well as Sunday. “The cast is working so hard and juggling so much to meet the demands of the show between music, choreography, memorizing lines and digging into scenework,” says Wallenfels.” Faced with a daunting challenge, they’ve really reached out to support and appreciate one another.”
While the rehearsal schedule can be strenuous, the actors have continued fostering a positive environment. Wallenfels praised the students by stating that, “I am finding everyone to be curious, open, and collaborative, and that’s not the case everywhere.”
The play Alice by Heart will have its opening night on October 21 and run through October 24.
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