'Alice in Wonderland' grows up a bit in Weinberg adaptation

March 20, 2008|By JULIE E. GREENE

FREDERICK, Md. -- The Alice in Charlie Smith's adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" is more centered, more self-aware than the Alice typically described in the famed nonsensical tale or in Smith's previous adaptations.

"She's more sure of herself in the beginning, so her journey is different," said Smith, who also is directing the show being presented Friday and Saturday at Weinberg Center for the Arts. Donna Grim is the artistic director.

"This year, in places where the Alice before has been frightened and cried, and other characters come out to help her, this Alice is dealing with personal doubts, but she doesn't have a panic mode or a crying mode," Smith said.

The more self-aware Alice is due to the more mature Frederick County girl portraying the character, Isabella Til-

mont, Smith said. Isabella might be more mature, but she's still only 10.

"When I write I always hear a 20-year-old (Alice) in my head," Smith said. "Then I get to rehearsal and the lines won't work with children."

But with Isabella, "some of the lines that were more childlike did not work on her," he said. So he reverted to his original version.

That's just one thing that makes this year's production of "Alice in Wonderland" different from the previous 11 productions by Other Voices Inc. Smith said the show, which features local children and guest artists including Dance Unlimited graduates, is different each year.

This is the 20th year for Dance Unlimited at the Performing Arts Factory in Frederick. Dance Unlimited is the repertory company produced by Other Voices.

"We have tons of people coming back this year," Smith said.

"At one point, there are five women on stage who have played Alice since it started," he said. While Smith realized he had former Alices returning as guest artists, it wasn't until a rehearsal that he realized they all had a scene together.

"It was very exciting. I didn't realize it was going to happen. I actually cried," said Smith.

This year's show also features a song that he and Cathie Porter-Borden wrote for Alice. "Which Way Do I Go?" is about Alice's self-discovery.

If you go ...

WHAT: Other Voices Inc.'s production of "Alice in Wonderland"

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 21; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22.

WHERE: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, Md.

COST: Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $10 for ages 2 to 6. For tickets, call 301-600-2828 or go to www.weinbergcenter.org.

MORE: For more information, call the Performing Arts Factory at 301-662-3722 or go to www.performingartsfactory.com.

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