Mac Olsen
Express Staff
@SmokyRiverExprs
Parents, grandparents and the general public were treated to a live theatre production at Ecole Routhier recently.
Missoula Children’s Theatre worked with students in all grades to put together the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ production.
The first performance was held in the evening of Oct. 6, and the second in the afternoon of Oct. 7.
“We are extremely proud of the 58 students cast for roles in the Misssoula performance of ‘Alice in Wonderland'”, says Principal Diane Benoit.
“The students’ hard work, dedication and talents were showcased during the two performances and enjoyed by all who attended.”
Three girls played the lead role of Alice: Anyka Desaulniers (Tall), Addison Wickman (Middle) and Dani Patterson (Small). Maddy Chitty played the White Rabbit for all the scenes. Chitty is also a director for Missoula Children’s Theatre.
Throughout her travels, Alice becomes “curiouser and curiouser” about the strange people and animals she meets.
There are the caterpillar and the flowers who encounter her. There are also the three ‘Chesire Cats’ who pose questions to her, and they show their trademark grins.
But it was the students who dressed as lobsters that really stole the show, dancing around on stage and clacking their claws. They drew many cheers and applause.
Nonetheless, danger lurks around every corner, as the Queen of Hearts and her playing card entourage have it in for Alice and anybody else they didn’t like.
“Off with their heads!” are their repeated chants and Alice can’t escape.
Alice has other enounters along the way, including with Tweedle Dee, played by Reid Turnquist, and Tweedle Dum, played by Wyatt Hunting.
She also encounters Humpty Dumpty, played by Draven Leclerc. He has his fall, but he is put back together and can continue to live a happy life.
Not everyone has a happy life, though. The Mock Turtle, played by Damon Labrecque, struggles with a limp and he uses a cane to compensate.
As the story nears its end, Alice comes face to face with the Queen of Hearts once more. However, Alice and the Queen make peace.
What does all this come to? Nonsense, really. As the White Rabbit says, “Nonsense is fun!”
Look for a series of videos of the Oct. 6 performance on the Express’ Facebook page. Also, look for some additional photos of that performance at smokyriverexpress.com.
About Missoula
Children’s Theatre
Throughout its 45-year existence, the Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tour has fostered developmental life skills in more than a million kids.
Just this year, they will work with 65,000 children in more than 1,200 communities, in all 50 states and 17 countries.
