Alice

Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

Blue Room Young Company
Thursday, September 3, 2009
LAXSON AUDITORIUM | 7:30 p.m.

$12 Adult | $10 Senior
$8 Student/Child

"A truly fantastical adventure of music and humor." — The Feather Online

Join Alice as she romps through Wonderland, chasing the White Rabbit, attending the Mad Hatter's tea party, and playing "Simon Says" with the Queen of Hearts. This fast-paced stage adaptation of Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. features classic Disney songs "I'm Late" and "Zip A Dee Doo Dah." Performed by members of the Blue Room Young Company, this family performance is not to be missed.

The Magical World of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Comes to Chico
Chico Performances and the Blue Room Young Company will be presenting Alice in Wonderland, Jr. on Sept. 3 to more than 2,000 school kids during two morning field trip performances, and another 1,000 audience members in an evening performance. This group of talented young actors will bring Alice’s magical world to life with many of Disney’s classic characters including Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and so many other brilliantly creative characters from Alice’s adventure in Wonderland.

With fun musical numbers, charming sets and elaborate costumes, this performance is sure to warm everyone’s hearts with its wonderfully wacky characters.

Adapted from the Oscar-nominated Disney film and the novels of Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Jr. is a one hour presentation that includes the original story line and songs such as “I’m Late” and “Zip A Dee Doo Dah” which makes it perfect for young performers. This fairy-tale performance will be produced at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 in Laxson Auditorium on the Chico State campus.

In May 70 children auditioned for roles in the musical, and 40 were cast. All roles are being performed by kids between the ages of 7 and 16. Rehearsals for the production began July 7.

The character of Alice is played by Katie Van Patten. Van Patten, 14, is a Pleasant Valley High School student and is a first time performer at the Blue Room Theater.

“I thought it would be a good show to be apart of,” said Van Patten when asked about why she decided to try out for the role of Alice in the production. “Wonderland’s a crazy world full of really weird people.”

Playing the pushy and overbearing Queen of Hearts is 16 year old Chico High School student Leandra McNeal. While Alice in Wonderland, Jr. is only her second performance at the Blue Room Theater, McNeal has already been a part of another “Junior” adaptation of a classic play.

“I Love ‘Junior’ Versions because I love kids,” said McNeal. “My first one was Guys and Dolls. I have always loved Alice in Wonderland and the ‘Junior’ versions make things simpler.”

Madyson Ysasaga, a 16 year old Pleasant Valley High School student, is playing the accusatory Caterpillar and shares her fellow performer’s appreciation for “Junior” version plays. “I like them because they give more opportunities for younger kids to get more experience with each other,” said Ysasaga. Ysasaga has been acting for 3 years including her prior performance at the Blue Room Theater as Madame de la Grande Bouche in the Beauty and the Beast, Jr. in May.

Also performing in Alice in Wonderland, Jr. is 12 year old Shasta Elementary student, Anna Tenckhoff. Tenckhoff has the most experience out of all her fellow young actors with Alice in Wonderland, Jr. being her 4th performance at the Blue Room Theater. Tenckhoff said that she first became involved in the theater through her older sister, Lara Tenckhoff, who has directed all her performances and who is also directing the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

Big sister, new mother and director Lara Tenckhoff has been participating in community theater since her time in Pleasant Valley high school. The 23 year old Butte College Student has been the director of the Young Company for a year now and looks forward to the upcoming production.

Lara is assisted behind the scenes by assistant director Vance Lynch, music director Dara Scholz and scenic director, Dave Beasley. Together, these talented minds hope to bring the magical world of Wonderland to Laxson Auditorium.

For more information on purchasing tickets or the performance, please visit: www.chicoperformances.com or call 898-6333.

To interview any cast member of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. contact Joanna Hass at Chico Performances Marketing Office (530) 898-6785 / cpmarketing@csuchico.edu.

CAST Cast of Alice In Wonderland, Jr.

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