Alice by Heart
Book by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson
Music by Duncan Sheik
Lyrics by Steven Sater
Directed by Spencer Bovaird and Leslie Navarro-Bovaird
Music Directed by Billy Veer
Band
Scott Lee Clayton Keys/Conductor
Brad Hawkins Percussion
Emily Maher Cello
Anthony Holmes Guitar
Choreographed by Leslie Navarro-Bovaird
Stage Manager Cassandra Juarez
Assoc Choreographer Campbell Bovaird
Set Designer Spencer Bovaird
Costume Designer Meghan MacLellan
Props Designer Campbell Bovaird
Lakeside Community Theatre
Regional Premiere
Alice by Heart
My thoughts on Alice by Heart or…Go ask Alice. Because she knows!
What a treat it is as a theatre reviewer to walk into a theater knowing nothing about a production and be blown away by the show. That’s just what happened at the endlessly creative and tuneful production of Alice by Heart.
Versions of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland seem to never work as stage productions, so my expectations were low. However, this lovely piece of fantasy with glorious music with many echoes of Spring Awakening by Duncan Sheik and with lyrics by Steven Sater, who also coauthored the book with Jessie Nelson, seems to have found just the right balance of fun and fantasy by adding some context to the story.
In this version, Alice and her friend Alfred are in one of London’s underground tube stations during the blitz. They are overseen and cared for by kindly Doctor Butridge and a no-nonsense Red Cross nurse. Having Alice want to escape the terrors of WWII Britain is an excellent way to justify her need to create a Wonderland.
And what a Wonderland Directors Spencer Bovaird and Leslie Navarro-Bovaird and Music Director Billy Veer have created! The colorful, inventive costumes are by Meghan MacLellan. Spencer Bovaird’s set transforms from Wonderland to bunker seamlessly. I don’t know who should be credited for the shadow play, but it is very cool..
This super talented group of young performers bring Alice by Heart to sweet, funny, sexy, and touching life. And they have an awesome live band to sing and dance to. The only tracks you’ll find around here are at the nearest DART station.
And speaking of dance, this is one of the most choreography heavy shows I’ve seen and how the cast remembers all those amazing hand and arm movements and steps Choreographer Leslie Navarro-Bovaird, who is some sort of one-woman Bob Fosse on steroids, has put together is beyond me. Those rehearsals must have been relentless, but the end result is marvelous to watch.
I wouldn’t dare spoil some of the surprises in the staging of this production but look out for the Caterpillar and Mock Turtle scenes. I can’t imagine they could be done anymore cleverly and are a testament to the talent and skill of the creative team and cast.
Ashley Tone is a sweet voiced, kind, yet feisty, and all together adorable Alice negotiating fantasy and reality. Tone is on stage almost constantly, but her energy and commitment to character never fail.
The phenomenal Nathan Rubens is Alice’s friend Alfred and also the White Rabbit and March Hare. I’ve been a fan of Rubens’ since he rocked the stage as Patrick in GPAC’s SpongeBob and he never disappoints. Here he is endearing, in great voice, and proves that he is a more than capable lead actor.
There’s no denying that Audrey Reidling is in command as both the nurse and the Queen of Hearts. Reidling is so strong and so absolutely at home on the stage as both the domineering nurse and the whacky queen that if you told me she was a Broadway actor visiting DFW between gigs, I wouldn’t bat an eye. Sit back and watch her tear the song “Isn’t it a Trial” to comedic shreds.
Tyler Halbrooks is a peripatetic Mad Hatter. He’s all over the stage and literally hangs from the rafters. Halbrooks, a terrific vocalist, appears in multiple scenes and his energy is limitless. Let’s hope he saved a little energy as he became a married man on Sunday. Tyler wed Lilee Gifford, who appears here as Caterpillar 2 and is quite the belter herself. I hope you two never get in a shouting match, but if you do, my money’s on Lilee.
As the Caterpillar, Noelle Saul, is lithe, limber, and gorgeous. She’s multitalented and multilegged. Saul’s “Chillin’ the Regrets” as she tempts Alice to indulge in a puff or two is one of the highlights of the show. And does she have the nerve to engage the Queen of Hearts in a bit of a sing off? She does…and it’s hilarious.
There are many great voices in Alice by Heart and Henri Sudy as the Cheshire Cat is among the best. Sudi is delightful appearing here and there as the menacing, mischievous cat, but their voice in contrast to their character is angelic. Their solo “Some Things Fall Away” is truly beautiful.
There is something so appealing about the acting style of the superb Jason English. English plays the doctor, the King of Hearts, and really shines in the tongue twisting role of the Jabberwock. English makes it all look effortless and he is equally adept at comedy and drama. He reminds me of a young Richard Thomas, that is if Richard Thomas was also a fine singer and I’m not certain about that!
One thing I am certain of is that Spencer Walsh is freaking hysterical as the Duchess. Parading around the stage singing in some sort of oversized garb, Walsh is funnier than anything I have ever seen on “Drag Race” and this guy is not lip-synching either. Mr. Walsh, would you please excuse me while I “manage my flamingo?”
Olivia Goodspeed serves as the Dance Captain here (which must be a daunting task) and plays several characters very well including the Queen of Diamonds and is really funny as the Mock Mock Mock Turtle.
Lauren Rodriguez appears as the Dormouse and has the uncanny ability to make herself look ten years old as one of the children in the bunker. I’m always impressed when an actor in a relatively small role can make herself memorable and Rodriguez does just that as she sings and dances with the ensemble.
Also impressive is Dakota Britvich who is a featured vocalist in the ensemble and serves as a swing. I believe this is the third time I’ve seen Britvich on stage and he always gives his all.
Alice by Heart is the biggest surprise of 2024 so far. it’s original and great fun and Alice’s heart may just touch yours.
