My neighbor happens to be the director of this musical, Annie McClendon~
I was amazed and am including all photos I can. I also did one of the sets for them. I don’t have children at this school..but anything to help a friend.
Holy Spirit School’s Fine Arts department presented Disney’s rendition of Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland Jr. on November 15 and 16. The production was directed by Liz Berta, with music direction by Anne McClendon and choreography by Kate Berta. A packed house was on hand for opening night. Maggie McGuire played the main character of Alice, with Maria Phelps as Tall Alice and Madalyn Mitchell as Small Alice. Emily Mitchell performed in her thirteenth production performance as Rabbit.
Other cast members in Holy Spirit’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. included: Henry Pitts (Dodo), Kate Berta (Doorknob), Zan Jones (lead Caterpillar), Allie Albea (Cardsman), Brooke Bassett (Cardsman/Fish), Thomas Berta (Cardman/Lobster), Elizabeth Boykin (Flower/Tea Party), Ava Cicatiello (Flower/Tea Party), Pearl Davis (Two of Clubs), Eva Farrish (Flower), Cailyn Garrett (Flowers/ Tea Party), Taylor Higdon (Mushroom), Alyssa Higdon (Mushroom), Norah Hope (Caterpillar Body), Maddie Kirkland (Mushroom), Charli Kyser (Flowers/Tea Party), Catherine Kung (Flowers/Tea Party), Avery Lake (Lobster/ Cardsman), Sophie Livaudais (Caterpillar Body), Sarah Martin (Caterpillar Body), Sadie
McClendon (Tea Party/ Octopus), Bailey McLaurine (Mushroom), Mindy Mitchell (Flowers/ Tea
Party), Sailey Nichols (Lobster/Cardsmen), Dillan Olvera (Lobster/Cardmen), Anna Robbins
(Mushroom), Kate Robbins (Mushroom), Elizabeth Shore (Sea Creature/Cardsmen), Marie
McKane (Cheshire Cat 1), Nichole Louw (Cheshire Cat 2), Lisa Maggi (Cheshire Cat 3), Kate
Pitts (Tweedle Dee), Anna Pitts (Tweedle Dum), Danika Louw (Marche Hare), Mary Hope (Mad
Hatter), Reese Seale (Queen of Hearts), Sarah Williamson (Matilda), Rebecca Melton (Daisy),
Olivia Melton (Rose), Madison Dunton (Petunia), Izzy Sullivan (Violet), Audrey Shore (Tea
Party), Cecilla Walker (Lobster/Cardmen), Aden Walton (Caterpillar Body), and Berkley Young
(Flowers/ Tea Party).
Our neighbor and Ann Kats best friend in the hood is the little blue creature.
Many volunteers helped make this production a great success, including the crew: Donny Mills, Ryan
Rainwater, Kiersten Schellhammer, Kat Robertson, Olivia Kapera, Leah Clark, Marian Cook,
Blanca Muniz, and Zach Davis.
The actors ranged in age from six years old to senior students, and the choreography was impressive. All of the age groups blended together beautifully with the help of stage manager Augusta Elebash.
The lighting design/tech direction by Donny Mims and Ryan Rainwater gave dimension and
made you forget you were in a school gymnasium. The sets and stages were all built for the production. Sets were created by the director and music director, parents who created costumes, friends and the Holy Spirit art department students.
This was the backdrop I painted. You can’t have Alice without a BIG mushroom. These were painted on four foam core panels similar to the stuff that wreaked havoc in real estate in the 90’s.
Sponsors included Brian Prince Transmissions, Simply Twistin, Boyd’s Hairstyling, Body
Works Salon and Boutique, We Service Autos, Legal Shield, Stuart D. Albea Attorney, Norris
Radiator & Service Center, Southeaster Spine and Joint Specialist, Tuscaloosa Ear Nose and
Throat Center, Violins by Ray Leicht, University of Alabama Community Music School, Allison
Adams (painted mushroom set), LOS Construction and Roofing, Paragon Management Group, and Bama Bounders.
Photos: Allison Adams
Video images helped create magical transitions.
