Two years ago, Stefanie DeFronzo took a summer workshop at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham and played the white queen in the musical “Wonderland.” After some school staff and her friends went to see her perform, they knew it was a production middle school students could do justice to.
Steve Suriano, director of the Voorheesville Middle School Drama Club’s upcoming production of “Wonderland,” said he “absolutely” loved the concept of the musical. This is the first time the “Stuck in the Middle Players” have presented the production, which is a contemporary version of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and its sequel, “Through the Looking-Glass.”
DeFronzo, an 11th-grade student director for “Wonderland,” said she enjoys working with the middle school students. DeFronzo said stepping off the stage and into a director’s chair has been a learning experience.
“I’ve learned to be more mindful of the directors, or the creative team, when I am in the cast,” said DeFronzo. “Now I actually know how much work goes into it.”
There will be three performances of “Wonderland” in the Performing Arts Center at the high school, which include a 7:30 p.m. show on Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, along with a final performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Tickets can be purchased at the door, and cost $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Suriano described the musical as, “‘Alice in Wonderland’ thrown into a blender, stirred up and poured out to be something completely different.”
There are a few different genres of music throughout the production. Auditions were held the second week of school and students have been rehearsing four to five days a week.
“This show in some ways really showcases the talent of the whole ensemble more than other shows we have done,” said Suriano. “Yeah, there are some featured characters here, but there are so many kids involved and so many things in this show that they are really quite active for the show.”
There are a total of 55 kids performing in the musical, with about a dozen doing behind-the-scenes work. Suriano said there are some adlibs and “craziness,” which the four student directors thought up.
Jaynie Parmenter, a 10th-grade student director, said she likes the “backwardness” of the musical because it will surprise the audience. Parmenter said she enjoyed acting and wanted to see it from the director’s perspective.
“I’ve learned how to really respect the directors more and grow as an actor,” said Parmenter.
Suriano said she has even learned things from the younger students, too.
“I learned things from the kids that I am going to use later on, which is crazy,” said Suriano. “You teach them, but they also teach you.”
Sydney Wilson, who plays the White Knight, said she enjoys her role because she gets to act funny and be one of the smarter characters. Although she has been in many productions, Wilson said she likes this one because she gets to be more of her own character.
Daniel Curren, who plays the Royal Assistant, is acting alongside his brother, Chris, who is the Red King.
Daniel said he likes the music in the play, which includes a lot of fun songs. He said this is the most dialogue he has ever had in a production. At one point, he has to memorize seven pages of lines.
“It’s a lot different from any of the other plays that I have done,” said Ian Longden, who plays the Red Knight. “It’s a lot more fun being a comical part than a really serious part.”
