Happy Friday! Before we head off into holiday weekend mode, we can’t help but get excited about presenting the land of Wonder in just a few weeks! When curious Alice falls down, down, down the rabbit hole, she discovers the magical world of Wonderland where cats can talk and cards play croquet. But, Alice is sure to miss her tea if she can’t convince the Queen of Hearts to let her go! With the help of the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and a whole cast of wacky companions, Alice must unleash the full power of her imagination to find her way home. Join us for Encore’s theatrical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic story, Alice in Wonderland, and discover all there is to wonder about.
We are excited to announce Chuck Leonard as director for this production. Leonard currently teaches for the Honors College at George Mason University. Leonard has served as the Director of Theatre for Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Director of Education for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Maryland, and has directed several musicals for the Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks. Joining Leonard on the production team are, Kristen Jepperson (Set Designer and Technical Director), Debra Leonard (Costume Designer and Make-up Designer), Marji Jepperson (Props and Set Dressing), Gary Hauptman (Lighting Designer), and Matthew Heap (Composer/Sound Designer). Here to talk about Alice in Wonderland is our Director, Chuck Leonard.
Encore: First off, welcome back to Encore! Your last show with us was The Magical Lamp of Aladdin. The stories of Aladdin and Alice both bring magic and adventure, can you describe any similarities/differences in your experiences with the two productions.
Chuck: Thank you for the welcome. It is wonderful being back with Encore. Aladdin was a terrific show to direct, but the biggest difference was that it was presented at Kenmore Middle School, because the county was fixing damage at Thomas Jefferson after the earthquake. So we were on a stage in a building we were unfamiliar with. Fortunately for me, we had a team of designers and producers who bent over backwards to make it work and Aladdin topped attendance records with its performances. I am delighted to tell you that some of the same team members are onboard again for Alice.
Encore: This year marks the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland! What scenes/characters in this story are you excited to direct or see come alive?
Chuck: There is a brief moment I have designed for the top of the show when Alice first spies the White Rabbit that I hope helps set up the story. I am very much looking forward to trying it out onstage to make it as strong as possible. There are also a number of scenes that will rely on excellent timing from the stage crew, and that will be a cool challenge.
Encore: What do you enjoy most about directing children’s theatre?
Chuck: When one of the actors is working on a scene and I hear them gasp as they realize how they might play their character. Those “Aha!” moments, when the light bulb turns on are so wonderful for me. It means the creative juices are flowing and that child is taking ownership of the part.
Encore: What can the audience expect/look forward to when they come to the show?
Chuck: If the audience members are familiar with the wonderful stories by Lewis Carroll, they will see some of their favorite scenes and characters. For instance, Alice meets and has adventures with the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Mock Turtle, Humpty Dumpty, the Queen of Hearts and the Cheshire Cat, to name but a few.
“For 150 years, this show has been bringing joy to audiences as it transports them to Wonderland. A child’s sense of wonder is a fantastic gift and adults need to be reminded sometimes how important and joyous that moment of jaw-dropping discovery can be.” -Chuck Leonard
Thank you Chuck for sharing! Buy your tickets today for Alice in Wonderland playing June 5-14 at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre.
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online or by calling our box office (703) 548-1154. Adults $12; Children, Students, Military and Seniors $10. Group discounts and birthday party packages are available.
In addition to the show, we’re delighted to host a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. This special event features tea and treats, fun activities, and a chance to meet your favorite Wonderland characters! Tickets for Mad Hatter’s Tea Party are $30 which includes admission for one to both the tea party and the 3 p.m. performance of Alice in Wonderland.
Encore is delighted to provide an accessibility matinee performance on Saturday, June 13 at 3 p.m. This matinee performance will provide accommodations for children and families with special needs. Accommodations include ASL interpretation and assisted listening devices as well as Braille and large print programs to allow the performance to be accessible to all audiences. An exclusive backstage tour will be provided for children to make meaningful connections with the story and to experience theatre in a new way. Interested patrons needing these accommodations must e-mail info@encorestage.org in advance.
We wish you a fun Memorial day weekend and we’ll see you at the theatre!