CANCELLED: Alice in Wonderland Coming to EMHS Stage

Eastern Mennonite High School’s production of Alice in Wonderland, scheduled for March 20 and 21, is postponed indefinitely.

***UPDATE: This production is postponed indefinitely. The projection date will be announced when it is deemed safe and appropriate to proceed. Those who purchased tickets can us their ticket on the new date, you can donate, or be reimbursed.

Based on Lewis Carroll’s beloved children’s book and adapted by Anne Coulter Martens for stage, this play follows Alice (Afton Rhodes-Lehman ‘20) as she travels through the curious and peculiar land of Wonderland. Accompanied by the suave and smiling Cheshire Cat (Myles Curry ‘20), Alice encounters many bizarre and unusual characters on her journey to find the Queen of Hearts (Julie Weaver ‘20). Actors are in grades 9 to 12 at Eastern Mennonite School.

Incorporating “steampunk” elements into the design of the show, the directors and cast have strayed “ever so slightly from the traditional conception of this story,” says Leah Huyard, the play’s assistant director, who also was assistant director for the school’s recent production of Little Women, the musical.

“The play showcases the creativity of all involved in the innovative process,” says Huyard, a 2017 EMHS graduate and current student at Eastern Mennonite University majoring in history.

Steampunk is a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.

“With gears, clocks, top hats, and industrialized set pieces, audience members should prepare themselves for not just a trip into the eccentric world of Wonderland, but also an adventure into 19th century inspired set,” says Huyard. “The costumes and overall interpretation of this show may be a bit unexpected.”

The show’s director is Jordan Haugh, a Bridgewater College music and theater graduate who also directed EMHS senior class productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Literati Awards and was assistant director for Little Women.

Performances are Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21 at 7 p.m., in the school’s auditorium. The show runs approximately 100 minutes and will be suitable for all ages.

General admission tickets: $10 adults, $7 students/senior citizens. Purchase advance tickets by calling 540-236-6025, at the school’s front office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays or online at easternmennonite.org/tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the night of the show.

Eastern Mennonite School is located at 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg. Access the auditorium from Parkwood Drive. Traveling east off of Route 42, pass the building on the left and turn into the lane. Watch for signs. Proceed to the large lot behind building.

Call 540-236-6025 with questions.