Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 18, 1990 TAG: 9005170297
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ELAINE VIEL SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
This production of "Alice" is, according to the CCE's program director Lane Ducker, more than just a chance for students to put on a play.
The children, fourth through 12th graders, are in the middle of what Ducker calls a "learning experience" - it might be fun, but watch out, kid, you may just learn something.
Ducker said that everything from the auditioning to working on the set or costumes is geared to teach the students about theater and putting together a show.
This is the second production in the CCE's three-year history, Ducker said, and many of the cast of more than 20 have returned.
Julie Crawford, who will, as the Queen of Hearts, do her best to terrify and browbeat Alice, said this is her second production with the council.
She agreed with Ducker that working on the shows is more than just showing up for rehearsals and learning you lines.
Crawford, a student at Radford High School, said she believes she has learned "a lot about acting."
Her enthusiasm about performing in the council's productions stems from just the opportunity to perform "basically, in Radford . . . the high school doesn't do that much."
Liberty Boor, who is in the ninth grade at Radford High, will be appearing in her first major production as Tweedle Dum.
"I've been in little things," she said "but not anything as big as this."
And Boor is finding all the rehearsing well worth it because just being a part of the show "is really neat. I love it. I thought it would be harder."
Also in the cast are April Collins as Alice, Sarah Shoemaker as the White Rabbit, Phyllis Leary as the Cheshire Cat, Tiffany Peterson as Tweedle Dee, Jaime Davidson as the March Hare and Jason Mullis as the Mad Hatter.
Rounding out the cast are April Smith, Evan Gregory, Eric Clymer, Stephen Murphy, Hannah Hileman, Jed Singer, Andy Davis, Tara Davidson, Mary Madeline Gilmore, Molly Atwell, Jane Taylor, Jenny Benjamin, Billy Crawford, Morgan King, Ben Bondurant and Will Farmer.
The production is directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch and is presented courtesy of the Playwrights Union of Canada.
"Alice" will open tonight at Radford High School. Curtain time is 7.
On Saturday, the production will be performed at New River Community College in Dublin, also at 7 p.m.
Sunday, the production moves to Blacksburg Middle School with a 4 p.m. curtain.
Tickets are $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. For more information, call 639-3128.
by CNB