Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Rock Solid’s ‘Alice’ hits stage Thursday
Rock Solid Youth Center’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and while director Mark Roeckers said it’s not the Disney show, the audience can expect to see the familiar cast of characters.
Thirteen-year-old Courtney Brendel landed the role of Alice in her first Rock Solid production.
“I tried out last year and didn’t make it,” said Brendel, a soon-to-be eighth grader at Cotter Junior High. “I was really surprised to get the lead.”
Compared with his previous four years of directing productions, Roeckers said this show is focused more on the characters, not the actors playing them.
“The characters are vastly different,” he said. “A lot goes into being those characters.”
A sore face plagued 15-year-old Emily Antoff — who plays the tricky yet philosophical role of the grinning Cheshire Cat — for weeks.
 Maddie Fogarty, 13, who plays the white rabbit, has her makeup done by Sue Degallier on Tuesday for the dress rehearsal of "Alice in Wonderland" at the Rock Solid Youth Center in Winona. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
“That’s one of the main things,” she said. “My face muscles hurt from smiling a lot.”
Costumes, such as the Cheshire Cat’s head-to-toe striped coverall, weren’t the easiest to find.
“You can’t just go out and find a caterpillar costume,” Roeckers said. “That’s not something people have lying around their house.”
At rehearsal Tuesday night, Mary Hyde and Jeni Arnold, mothers of children in the show, put the finishing touches on their rosebush costumes.
The rosebushes get to sing an original number, “Off With Her Head,” written by Nancy Edstrom, an instructor at Saint Mary’s University and choir director at First Congregational Church of Winona.
Hyde and Arnold first started playing small roles in Rock Solid productions a few years ago, when their daughters tried out.
“(The plays) are great mother-daughter opportunities,” Arnold said. “This year’s show is kid-driven and adult-supported.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Alice in Wonderland
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: At Rock Solid Youth Center, 75 W. Third St, Winona
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