The UNCW S.T.A.G.E. Company is giving an enlightening performance of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s tales, Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, adapted for the stage by Victoria Crouse. The large, 27-member cast does a wonderful job in bringing to life these classic tales.

The play begins with Alice, played by Elise Seurre, and her adoring cat, Dinah, receiving an ever so boring lesson from her tutor. Falling asleep, Alice dreams that she sees a white rabbit, played by Cory Howard, and follows him down his rabbit hole. In this new, fantastical world, Alice encounters many interesting and often times frustrating characters.

Tweedle Dee, played by Thomas Blake, and Tweedle Dum, played by Justin Geer, do a wonderful job in portraying the mischievous and frustrating twins. Their hilarious performances were a refreshing part of the play. Joe Pistone also does an excellent job in his role as the infamous Cheshire Cat. Abbey Wade does a truly magnificent job in her portrayal as the mean and unforgiving Queen of Hearts. Every member of the cast did an exquisite job in bringing to life this whimsical adaptation of Carroll’s tales.

The idea for the S.T.A.G.E. Company to perform Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass stems from their desire to involve local children in theater productions. One of the Company’s ultimate goals is to travel to local schools and perform various plays for children.

“It is important for children to be exposed to the arts at an early age,” said Diana Stewart, Vice President of the S.T.A.G.E. Company.

The play is being performed in the SRO (standing room only) theater, usually only seating sixty to seventy patrons. The cast was unusually large but the small space did not inhibit their performances.

“There were so many interested students in the theater club and we felt it was important to give them an opportunity to work in the theater,” Stewart said.

Shay Hall, a freshman, makes his directorial debut with Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Hall does an excellent job in guiding the actors to capture and then portray Carroll’s dreamlike world. Hall says that he did not mind working with such a large cast because they rehearsed at separate times and they were all very close. Everyone became good friends and that is the main reason why Hall enjoyed this new experience.

“Trying to create and design Carroll’s atmosphere, technically was the most challenging aspect for me,” said Mary Hastings, the Technical Director and the President of the S.T.A.G.E. Company. Jehan Hessein, head painter for the set, did a masterful job in creating the magical atmosphere. Hastings also said that a set “must be appealing to the audience and practical for the actors and crew.”

Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass are brilliantly brought to life by the S.T.A.G.E. Company and is truly an enjoyable experience for both young and old.