The Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” is set to premiere on Thursday, November 17, at 7:00 pm, with additional performances November 18 and 19 at 7:00 pm and November 20at 2:00 pm at Old Rochester Regional High School.
Due to an editing error, The Wanderer print edition of this article mistakenly reported that tickets for all shows are sold out.
Tickets for all shows are for sale at the Marion General Store, Isabelle’s in Mattapoisett, Friends Marketplace in Rochester, at the door and online for a small service fee through Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/orrhs-alice-tickets. General Admission tickets are $12, and students and senior citizens are admitted for $10. Reserve tickets by calling 508-863-0696.
“There are plenty of laughs and references to pop culture, which make this a play which is best for older children (Grade 5 and up) and their grownups,” reads the ORR press release on the performance. They also note that the ORR High School is currently a latex-free building and ask that no flower bouquets be brought inside the school due to issues with latex elastics.
Cattarinha Nunes, in her junior year, stars as the eponymous Alice, having also appeared in “Spoon River Anthology,” “Macbeth,” and “You Can’t Take It with You,” and has participated in the behind-the-scenes aspect as assistant stage manager of “Godspell.”
“I especially enjoy getting to act out the discovery of each new trial Wonderland has to offer and therefore act rather moody when things don’t go Alice’s way,” wrote Nunes in an email correspondence with The Wanderer. “My absolute favorite part of the play is the last scene, with the trial case. I absolutely love that every actor gets to be on stage at the same time, no matter how big or small their role is. It all comes together nicely, and I’m happy that everyone can be featured one final time.”
Cast members also cited the scene with the Tweedles and the Queen of Heart’s mood swings as favorite moments, but when asked about their struggles, seemed to come up short.
“I cannot think of a part of being in the drama club (that is) challenging,” mused sophomore Calden Eaton, playing the Cheshire Cat. “Making friends and connecting with the characters are the best and easiest part of the process.”
“I want to add a little thank you to a special soul that I know is watching over all of us and smiling so big,” said Kathleen Dunn, who plays the Queen of Hearts. “Nolan Gibbons unexpectedly passed away in August of 2020. In my class, now seniors, he was the brightest light and most talented human I ever got to know.
“Any show you can imagine, he starred in. Talent shows, band, singing groups, camps – you name it, he did it. He was a nationally recognized artist and yet continued to walk into ORR every morning and be a regular student. He genuinely, so genuinely, had the brightest smile I have ever seen. I miss you every day, Nolan, and I know you’re watching over us, singing Lava with your ukulele. Thank you for being an angel before you passed and thank you for all the signs. I do this for you!”
Maxx Domingos, the Drama Club director and advisor for Old Rochester Regional High School, sang the praises of both the story of “Alice in Wonderland” and the talented students in the cast and crew.
“Some cast members have been in theater productions throughout their entire high school years, while others are performing with us for the first time. Despite this, all members of the cast are dedicated to producing a fantastic show for the Tri-Town community.”
Students man the backstage as well as the front, with hands-on participation in lighting, sound, props and set design.
“The best part about directing a show is seeing the seats in the auditorium fill up on performance nights. The students truly love performing for the community, and the Tri-Town support for the drama club has been incredible,” Domingos said. “The best way to support our students is by coming to see the shows.”
By last weekend, tickets for “Alice in Wonderland” were gone, but Domingos told The Wanderer that the company will be announcing its Spring Musical during Thursday’s Opening Night performance, so particularly eager theatergoers may want to snag tickets ASAP! ORR thanks everyone who has bought tickets to support the show, students and staff involved.
By Jack MC Staier