Alice by Heart presented by First Act Theatre Arts

PRESENTS

ALICE

Book by STEVEN SATER AND JESSIE NELSON

Music by DUNCAN SHEIK

Orchestrationsby DUNCANSHEIK

Lyrics by STEVEN SATER

AdditionalOrchestrationsby SIMONHALE AlicebyHeartwasfirstcommissionedandproducedbyNationalTheatreConnectionsin2012 DevelopedwiththeAssistanceofTheatreAspenAspenColorado AworkshopproductionofAlicebyHeartwaspresentedbyNewYorkStageandFilm&Vassarat ThePowerhouseTheater,Summer2018 NewYorkPremiereattheMCCTheaterFebruary262019 ArtisticDirectors:RobertLupone,BernardTelsey,&WilliamCantler ExecutiveDirector:BlakeWest

VocalArrangementsby JASONHART

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Jana Latchaw Milbourn Director

Hillary Talken Music Director

Rachel Honnold Lighting Designer

Molly Stasieluk Assistant Director & Stage Manager

Chrissi Edwards Show Coordinator

Elizabeth Phillips Choreographer

Cody Seebohm Sound Designer

Joy Dee Stage Management Apprentice

from the director

There are many things to be gleaned from the story of Alice By Heart, but the one that has resonated with me the most is the beautiful representation of the journey of grief. Amidst the troubling times of World War II, Alice seeks normalcy in the pages of a story. On the outside: a fine way to handle hardship and adversity. Perhaps when we look a little deeper: an avoidance tactic. Another fine way to handle hardship…for a little while.

As we move through the story, we see various characters handling grief in their own way: Alice seeking an escape, Alfred reacting in anger, the Queen demanding power, the Turtles hiding within their grief, and children questioning where God is amidst the war.

There’s nothing comfortable about tragedy. Grief is messy. It’s not linear. It’s dark. And hopelessness is a natural and human response. As many of us have experienced, there are moments in our lives where facing reality is much too painful. At some point though, we need to face it if we want to begin to heal, to find hope again, to survive, to begin anew.

“Sometimes we overcome, you know, just by going on.”

Thank you to this outrageously wise and talented cast for taking on such difficult material. This script has really done its job - leading to many meaningful conversations that I hope one day play a small role in guiding them through times of sorrow, pointing them toward hope. If I’m even luckier, perhaps this story will speak to you, too.

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Jana Latchaw Milbourn Director

artistic team

Musical Numbers

ACT ONE

“West of Words”……….............................................................Alice, Alfred, Londoners “Down the Hole” Full Company

“Still”......................................................................................................Alice, White Rabbit “Chillin’ the Regrets”.........................Alice, Caterpillar 1, Caterpillar 2, Londoners, Featured Dancers

“The Key Is”....................................................................................................Full Company “Those Long Eyes”................................................Alice, White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Lobster Dancers, Young Alice, Young Alfred “Manage Your Flamingo”…….........Duchess, Alice, Knaves, Queen of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Queen of Hearts, Londoners, Featured Dancers “Sick to Death of Alice-ness”…….......Alice, Mad Hatter, Dormouse, March Hare “Brillig Braelig”……...............................................................Jabberwock, Full Company

Musical Numbers

ACT TWO

“Some Things Fall Away”……….......................................................Cheshire Cat, Alice “Your Shell of Grief”.........................................Alice, Mock Turtles, Turtle Ensemble “Another Room in Your Head” Alice, Alfred “Isn’t It a Trial”…….....................................Queen of Hearts, King of Hearts, Knaves, Londoners, Featured Dancers, White Rabbit

“Do You Think We Think You’re Alice”..................................................Full Company “I’ve Shrunk Enough”...................................................................................Full Company

“Still (Reprise)”............................................Alice, Alfred, Young Alice, Young Alfred

“Afternoon”.......................................................................................................Alice, Alfred “Winter Blooms” Alice, Full Company

cast of characters

Ryleigh Albarado………...............................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Winnie Albrecht………...............................Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Addy Ballew...............................................Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Sophia Baltuska..........................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Jacob Banman..........................................................................................Dodgy, Duchess

Cal Blobaum Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Laila Bressler..............................................Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Hannah Bruss..............................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Mary Casey..................................................Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Evie Christy................Lobster Dancer, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Ava Copeland............................................Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Lizzie Cure.................................Dance Captain, Lobster Dancer, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Katharina Driver Wonderland Ensemble

Alexa Dust...................................................Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Kaylee Dust.................................................Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Blaire Eldridge………....................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Kate Gawer...................................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Halle Gray.......................................Clarissa, Queen of Diamonds, Featured Dancer

Kerrigan Gray...............................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Savannah Gray Wonderland Ensemble

Nick Heffner....................................Harold Pudding, Mad Hatter, Featured Dancer

Harper Hoge………....................Dance Captain, Lobster Dancer, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Amelia Hooper......................................................Red Cross Nurse, Queen of Hearts

Viola Howard...............................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Iris Johnston.................................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Kaeleigh Johnston Mock Mock Mock Mock Turtle, Wonderland Ensemble

Evan Kane..........................................................Young Alfred, Wonderland Ensemble

Nickole Lambert........................................Young Alfred’s Mother, Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Kylie Marsh...............................................Mock Mock Turtle, Wonderland Ensemble

Nash McGinness-Wood………................Knave of Hearts, Wonderland Ensemble

Tatum McGinness-Wood.........Caterpillar 2, Lobster Dancer, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Luke Meehan Mock Turtle, Knave of Spades, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Farrah Meyer.......................................................Young Alice, Wonderland Ensemble

Finley Papuga..............................Mock Mock Mock Turtle, Wonderland Ensemble

Alice Reid......................................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Easton Richerson..................Nigel, Dormouse, Knave of Clubs, Featured Dancer

cast of characters

Lucy Roach………........................................Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Mary Rosa………..................................................................................Angus, Caterpillar 1

Juliet Schneider...........................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Evie Seebohm..............................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Ceci Sellers.................Lobster Dancer, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Nora Stout Wonderland Ensemble

Kaitlyn Talken.............................................Tabatha, Cheshire Cat, Featured Dancer

Skarlett Thomas.........................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Grady Thompson.....................................Dr. Butridge, Jabberwock, King of Hearts

Jadyn Valentine.............................................................................................Alice Spencer

Mira Walters..............Lobster Dancer, Featured Dancer, Wonderland Ensemble

Declan Warner............................................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Charlotte Westermann............................................................Wonderland Ensemble

Sylvie Williams Turtle Ensemble, Wonderland Ensemble

Boston Woodward................................................Alfred, White Rabbit, March Hare

PIT BAND

Piano/Conductor………..................................................................................Hillary Talken

Guitar 1...................................................................................................Jimmy Bloomquist

Guitar 2.............................................................................................................Scott Heffner

Drums......................................................................................................Clayton Anderson

Reeds...........................................................................................................................Joe Gall

Trumpet.....................................................................................................Connor Stasieluk

Cello Kieran Ojakangas

Meet the Cast

Jadyn Valentine as Alice Spencer

Jadyn is 18 years old and a senior at Kansas City Christian School. This is her 25th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Jadyn’s favorite show she’s performed in is And the World Goes Round Off stage, Jadyn enjoys hanging out with her friends, reading, watching movies, non-performatively drinking matcha, doing cartwheels, and sleeping. Jadyn would like to thank her mom, dad, and sister.

Boston Woodward as Alfred, White Rabbit, & March Hare

Boston is 16 years old and a sophomore at Lee’s Summit West High School. This is his 23rd show with First Act Theatre Arts. Boston’s favorite show he’s performed in is And the World Goes Round. Off stage, Boston enjoys spending time with his friends, participating in his school’s student council, choir, and driving. Boston would like to thank his mom and dad for supporting him with endless possibilities. His acting and vocal coaches, Jana Latchaw Milbourn and Hillary Talken, for helping him grow. His friends for being elite, and Mr Rackers for showing him with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Meet the Cast

Kaitlyn Talken as Tabatha, Cheshire Cat, & Featured Dancer

Kaitlyn is 18 years old and homeschooled as a senior. This is her 34th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Kaitlyn’s favorite show’s she’s performed in are And The World Goes Round and Hello, Dolly Off stage, Kaitlyn enjoys going on adventures with her sisters, participating in whimsy, and drinking juice boxes. Kaitlyn would like to thank her parents for everything they do for her and the First Act community, and her sisters for supporting her more than anyone else

Amelia Hooper as Red Cross Nurse & Queen of Hearts

Amelia is 17 years old and a senior at Blue Valley High School. This is her 15th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Amelia’s favorite show she’s performed in is Alice By Heart. Off stage, Amelia enjoys reading, painting, seeing other performances, and hanging out with her friends.

Meet the Cast

Grady Thompson as Dr. Butridge, Jabberwock, & King of Hearts

Grady is 15 years old and a sophomore at Shawnee Mission Northwest. This is his 17th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Grady’s favorite show he’s performed in is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Off stage, Grady enjoys filming for his school’s news and work. Grady would like to thank God and his family for the opportunity to perform.

Mary Rosa as Angus, Caterpillar 1

Mary is 18 years old and a senior at St. James Academy. This is her 11th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Mary’s favorite show she’s performed in is Newsies Off stage, Mary enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, watching movies, and looking through her camera roll at pictures from her trip to Disney World. Mary would like to thank her parents for all they do for her, her sisters for supporting her always, and God for all his blessings

Meet the Cast

Nick

Heffner

as Harold Pudding, Mad Hatter, & Featured Dancer

Nick is 16 years old and a sophomore at Shawnee Mission West. This is his 17th show with First Act Theatre Arts Nick’s favorite show he’s performed in is The Music Man. Off stage, Nick enjoys playing the piano and playing jazz gigs around town. Nick would like to thank his Mom and Dad for being the best, and his sister Lily for getting him into First Act.

Easton Richerson as Nigel, Dormouse, Knave of Clubs, & Featured Dancer

Easton is 14 years old and a freshman at Olathe West High School. This is his 4th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Easton’s favorite show he’s performed in is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Off stage, Easton enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, playing guitar, and singing. Easton would like to thank his mom, dad, sister, voice coach Matt Richardson, and Miller Marley Dance.

Jacob Banman as Dodgy, Duchess

Jacob is 18 years old and a senior at Blue Valley High School. This is his 27th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Jacob’s favorite show he’s performed in is And the World Goes Round. Off stage, Jacob enjoys reading, signing, napping, and hanging out with friends. Jacob would like to thank the artistic team, his voice teacher Hillary, his parents, and Jesus.

Halle Gray

as

Clarissa, Queen of Diamonds, & Featured Dancer

Halle is 18 years old and a senior at Shawnee Mission Northwest. This is her 12th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Halle’s favorite show she’s performed in is And the World Goes Round. Off stage, Halle enjoys hanging out with her friends, listening to music, and getting coffee with her mom. Halle would like to thank her friends and family for their love and her parents for all of their support in everything she does. 1st Peter 57.

Featured Dancers

Wonderland Ensemble

Wonderland Ensemble

Wonderland Ensemble

Congratulations!

Ryleigh Albarado

Congratulations on an incredible performance. Your dedication, talent, and passion truly shined on stage. We are so proud of you.

Addy Ballew

Addy, We love watching you shine doing what you love! You amaze us! Keep being a light! Love, Your family

Katharina Driver

Katharina, congratulations on your first play. So incredibly proud of you and all your hard work. Love, Mom & Dad ��

Kate Gawer

Kate, wonderland may be chaotic, but you ’ re steady and shining. We’re proud Love, Mom & Dad

Nick Heffner

Nick, We are so proud of your hard work. You are a joy to watch on stage! Love, Mom, Dad & Lily

Harper Hoge

We’re excited to see you doing what you love with the people you love! Break Legs! Mom, Dad and Henry

Viola Howard

Viola ~ We are so proud of you! Break a leg! Love, Mom, Dad & Evelyn

Congratulations!

Nash McGinness-Wood

Nash - We are so proud of you and the young man you are becoming! Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. Keep giving it your all and good things will happen! We love you! Trish, Michelle, and Tatum

Tatum McGinness-Wood

Tatum - We love watching you shine doing what you love! You work so hard in everything you do, keep up that attitude and good things will happen. We love you to the moon and back! Trish, Michelle, and Nash

Farrah Meyer

Farrah, We are so proud of the hard work you have put into this show! You always shine on stage- you ’ re really on a roll!!! We love you lots! Mom, Dad, Brandon and Calvin

Alice Reid

Congratulations Alice! We are so proud of you and your hard work in this your third First Act show Love Mom, Dad and Kate. ♥

Nora Stout

Nora congratulations on another production. We are so proud of you. Love, Dad, Kimmie, Jackson and Lillian.

Charlotte Westermann

- Sis, we can't wait to see your first musical! Your hard work will take you everywhere. Break a leg! xoxo -

Boston Woodward

Congratulations Boston on Alfred! We are so proud of you! Keep shining! We love you, Mom and Dad

parent committees

Backstage

Blobaum

Christy*

Meyer

Reid

Schneider

Costumes

Casey Driver

Johnston

Marsh*

Costume Clean Up

Bressler

Eldridge Green Room

Baltuska

Howard

Papuga

Richerson*

House

Albarado

Kane*

Hooper

Lambert

Roach

Hospitality

Albrecht*

Makeup

Thompson*

Westermann

Opportunity Baskets

Rosa

Valentine*

Production Support

Cure*

McGinness-Wood*

Props

Copeland*

Walters

Warner

Williams

Refreshments

Ballew*

Banman

Bruss

Meehan

Woodward Sets

Dust

Heffner

Hoge*

Talken

Souvenirs

Gawer

Sellers*

Stout Tech

Gray*

Seebohm

Thomas

*Committee Head

Special Thanks

First Act Theatre Arts would like to extend special thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their generous contributions to this show.

John Rohr and the Goppert Center Staff for hosting this production

Josie Strickler for her dedicated service to our HEART program

Melissa Sellers & Steve Kleinschmidt for their excellent show photos

Andrew Milbourn & Carter Wright for the terrific show recordings

Rick Aldrich & Totally His Graphics for our awesome show shirts

Mikey Fletcher for his help with all things warehouse

Ginger Burns for her assistance with makeup

Jackie Ehler for her help with props

Becky Ochoa & Joel Gray for their expertise in technical theater

Pam Bray, Sharon Kleinschmidt & Gina Milbourn for their assistance with the organization of our costumes

Nicole Christy and Emily Hancock for making our painted floor dreams come true!

Kristen Henning at SFCC Fine & Performing Arts for allowing us to rent props

Ben Bartlett at Shawnee Mission North for allowing us to borrow helmets

The First Act Board and Staff for all of their support

Chrissi Edwards for making our production run smoothly

Our wonderful Artistic Team for putting this show together

And most importantly, our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ through whom all things are possible!