TheaterFun’s production leads audiences on a joyful romp in a strange world

Photo by Calvin Nuttall From left: Katie Frederick, Isla Diaz, Lila Vickerman, Michaela Butsch, Danielle Bergot, and Juliet Sturtevant are part of Theater Fun’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” which plays this weekend.

By Calvin Nuttall

Tumble down the rabbit hole into a fantastical world and let your imagination run wild with “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” The dazzling musical adventure is presented by TheaterFun at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse from March 21-24.

This enchanting production directed by Carol Romo brings Lewis Carroll’s classic to the stage with a vibrant cast of nearly 60 talented young performers, whimsical costumes, and a whirlwind of excitement that will leave audiences grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“It’s very exciting and very energetic,” said Lila Vickerman, who plays “Alice.” “There is a lot of running around, spinning, big props, little props, more spinning. Miss Carol really helps us to have fun while learning. While learning to be our characters, we’re also learning to be ourselves. That’s really great.”

Danielle Bergot portrays the “Queen of Hearts.” In a world of strange magic and talking animals the tyrannical monarch’s penchant for doling out frivolous death sentences provides plenty of humor in the story

“It’s really just go-go-go,” she said. “There is always something happening onstage, there is never a dull moment. There are new characters being introduced in almost every single scene, people Alice meets along the way.”

Romo and her cast promise to deliver a show unlike any before it.

“It’s different because I’m doing it,” she said. “I take the script, which is black and white, and I add color to it, I add dimension, I add humor to it. I’m a ballet dancer, so all of my shows always have movement to them. Once you get kids moving, you’ve got them. You can even get shy kids to come out of their shell.”

Photo by Calvin Nuttall

While the bizarre and confusing world of Wonderland has sometimes been depicted  as a frightening place in other adaptations, Romo’s cast is leaning heavily toward the fun and fantastical in their portrayal.

“Every cast brings something completely different, and they are really making it their own,” Bergot said. “It’s not the Wonderland from the movie. It’s our Wonderland.”

The large cast is a challenge to manage, Romo said. It also creates a sense of controlled chaos that is central to the atmosphere of the show. To help her herd the many youngsters, she mobilizes a small army of parents.

“It’s like having a big party,” she said. “They come and participate, and I get to be the ringleader. There is so much talent in these kids. There is so much talent in the parents, in the kids I love bringing the community together and pulling out their best parts.”

Participating in performing arts empowers youngsters to develop their social skills, Romo said. In addition to just helping them get out of their shell in the first place, playing a role and embodying another person helps to develop empathy by allowing them to see life from another’s perspective.

“I’ve got a reputation for working well with the kids,” she said. “My job is to nurture their self-esteem, especially the teenagers. I can see what is going on with them and give them the words of encouragement that they need.”

The hardest part about training these youngsters, Romo said, is saying goodbye when they have finally outgrown her production.

“It’s a lot of training,” she said. “I raise them to a certain level, until they are so good that they leave me. They go to other theater groups and they get the leads. That is my job, to raise the little birdies and then push them out of the nest. It’s hard, though, because I have worked so hard in training them, and now they’re, mwah, perfect. But then, I get to train all new ones.”

“It is just such a fabulous opportunity to do this,” Romo said. “What a perfect job this is, it is such a blessing.”

Calvin Nuttall is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter and columnist.