West Valley Arts' production of "Alice by Heart" brings a bold yet imaginative twist to what I'd call a very familiar world of Wonderland. Not only does this production throw a familiarity at audiences, this stunning cast also performs with an almost aching beauty. This show doesn't just retell the classic story of "Alice In Wonderland", it shows the process of a certain pain the characters face, and refracts it through the lens of love, war, and even loss.
The whimsy and weight of this story is truly brought to life by one of the most strikingly talented casts. Alice Spencer (Ivy Dunbar Jones) is a wartime dreamer who's just trying to claim salvation through the story. Jones does a great job at not only tying in the curiosity that we see in the classic character of Alice in "Alice In Wonderland", but she also brings so many new aspects into the story. This makes the journey of Alice feel less like a trip, and more like a reckoning. She does a wonderful job at giving us a good and layered version of the character. The heartbreakingly humane interpretation of the White Rabbit that "Alice By Heart" gives to Alfred (Charlie Baytieh) is that of a fragile and anxious friend of Alice. Not only does he act as an anchor in Alice's life, he's an innocent character who faces a quiet suffering. Baytieh does a great job at finding that vulnerability, and provides the audience with a fantastic load of vocals. One of the standout numbers in the show was the song "Isn't It A Trial", sang by the Queen of Hearts (Rachel Mardis). Mardis was one of the strongest vocalists of the night, and knew exactly how to command the stage with a presence as strong as her voice. Going along with "Isn't It A Trial", there were two soloists in that number that provided an amazing riff off that had the audience wanting more! Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds (Carly Haberman) and Angus/Caterpillar 1 (April Kerr) not only gave us quite the showdown in that song, but they also were very strong characters throughout the whole entire show, and I was drawn to them all night. Haberman is also credited as Dance Captain, and deservedly so! She was one of the strongest dancers, and her technique and sharpness to each appropriate move was executed perfectly. Another cast member that really stood out to me was ensemble member Ginny Teuscher. Teuscher absolutely blew me away in their featured solos in "Your Shell of Grief". The way I would describe their voice is that it has a unique tonal richness, and was ethereal. It wasn't just technically impressive, but also was emotionally satisfying! It can be rare these days to see a cast so fully immersed in their characters, pouring their heart and soul into every sharp technique used by each character in every scene, and this whole cast did that.
As somebody who grew up dancing and has a strong appreciation for the art form, I can truly say I was very impressed with the choreography throughout the whole entire show. Emily Henwood choreographed one of the most mesmerizing, fluid, and expressive shows I've ever seen. Every movement felt intentional, and that includes the controlled chaos in bigger group numbers down to the more slow or lyrical moments that showed specific character's commotion. I always love when a choreographer can get a whole cast moving as if they're all just one living, breathing unit, and Henwood did just that and more! All of the choreography just added a really satisfying elevation to every scene, and it was just as powerful as the songs and dialogue.
The technical design of the show really struck a beautiful balance throughout every aspect. The costumes designed by Tabitha Sublette were perfectly balanced between period pieces, and then slowly began to incorporate that whimsy we see in Wonderland. Lighting Design by Renee Fowler seemed to move seamlessly from the cold, more dramatic realities of the bunker into an almost dreamlike glow of Wonderland. The sound design (Bryce Robinette) was also very effective and provided a more immersive experience in the theatre with echoes of bombs and a good balance of music in those big musical numbers.
To finish off this review of what is, in my opinion, one of the best productions I've seen in a while, I feel it is important for me to state one of the biggest takeaways I got from this productions. In this emotionally rich production put on by the wonderful cast and crew, it is an emotionally rich production that shows us that Wonderland isn't an escape, but rather it's a reckoning. Director Brooklyn Pulver Kohler really brought every element into this musical, and helped weave a cohesive, imaginative escape for all that really highlighted the emotional heartbeat of the show. I cannot stress how important it is for this show to be seen. So please, take a few hours and go see "Alice By Heart", and allow the beautiful cast to take you through a dreamlike descent. It will make you laugh, and definitely make you cry. The perfect mix of a perfect night out supporting live theatre.
Theatre matters, theatre is important, theatre is impactful.
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