Based on Lewis Carroll’s classic novel and Walt Disney’s “musical wonderfilm” – as billed in the official 1951 movie flyer – students at Torrington Middle School are now presenting Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. on a stage near you.
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TORRINGTON – Based on Lewis Carroll’s classic novel and Walt Disney’s “musical wonderfilm” – as billed in the official 1951 movie flyer – students at Torrington Middle School are now presenting Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. on a stage near you.
“We scoured through a bunch of musicals when we were choosing to try to find music that speaks to us – that we like and that we think the kids will like,” musical co-director Gary Glass said. “We also have to think about the needs of our students and what they can do well and try to pick stuff that suits them nicely.”
He added the director team looked for a story “that’s fun to tell,” as well as one with several parts and lines to allow for the most student participation.
“We gave out scripts in December – right before Christmas break – for lead characters, because they have lots of lines and songs to sing,” Glass said. “We started working in earnest with everybody else in January.”
Glass began his second year as co-director with the help of TMS music teacher Katelyn Fody. However, Fody recently welcomed a child and was unable to continue at the helm of the production.
“Morgan Peacock, the art teacher here, stepped in for Katy,” Glass said. “Lance Cates is our set/costume builder/artist extraordinaire – doing a lot of set pieces, specialized costuming, and props that needed to be built … it’s really been a nice collaboration of directors between myself, (Peacock), and (Cates) … of course, the students are involved as well, making costumes” and more, Glass said.
Residents interested in following Alice down the rabbit hole still have the opportunity to catch the second and final show tonight at 7 p.m. at Torrington High School Auditorium. The musical’s premiere took place Thursday at 7 p.m. The event is open to all ages, and the duration is approximately one hour, with no intermission.
“The public is certainly welcome and encouraged to come,” Glass said. “We’re not charging anything at the door, but if people are willing to make a monetary donation, we are trying to build the TMS drama activity account. Any donations given at the door go to prop costs, costume costs … any number of miscellaneous items for the TMS drama department.”
