Press Release: Alice in Wonderland

Metro Theatre is thrilled to present Alice In Wonderland our Holiday Musical Pantomime, an annual tradition for 35 consecutive years. The maddest panto in town hits the stage December 13, 2019 and continues through to January 4, 2020. Evening performances are at 7:30 pm with Matinees at 2 pm.

This odyssey of odd takes our beloved literary heroine Alice far from home and into a land of song, suspense, and silliness. Fantastical characters designed to captivate the young of heart, regardless of age join Alice on her whimsical journey from the orderliness of Victorian London to the weird and wild depths of Wonderland. The White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter and our perennial favourite Dame will see you there as Alice traverses the perils of this “curiouser and curiouser” Panto.

A cast of 25 talented singers, dancers, and actors bring the show to life in spectacular costumes, backed by an awesome jewel toned set with shifting platforms and lit clouds.

“I am thrilled that in a vast 35 year Panto history we are still able to present new and exciting stories to our audiences.  Alice In Wonderland has never been done on the Metro Panto Stage.  It is the perfect mix of excitement and whimsy that will be sure to entice the entire family.” Chris Adams, Director

ALICE IN WONDERLAND is written by panto playwright Erik Gow, directed by Chris Adams, choreographed by Suzanne Ouellette with musical direction by Katie-Rose Connors, stage managed by Kat Palmer and produced by Alison Schamberger & Catherine Morrison   Photo credits: Tracy-Lynn Chernaske.  

At the recommendation of the Cheshire Cat, our charitable appeal this year is on behalf of  VOKRA – the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association.  You are invited to bring in items for the orphaned kittens and cats to put under our Christmas Tree in the lobby.  The collected food, treats, blankets, and toys will be delivered to the organization in January.

Cast and Production Team

CAST

ALICE……………………………………………………………………….Kyra Leroux
THE DAME ………………………………………………………………James T Walker
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS…………………………………………..Danielle Lemon
ALICE’S FATHER/KING OF HEARTS/CATTERPILLER…..Peter Stainton
NIGEL, THE PRINCE…………..……………………………………..James Ross
FLOPSY THE WHITE RABBIT……………………………………..Emma Ciprian
THE MAD HATTER………………..………………………………….David Johnston
BIANCA/DOOR 4/CHESHIRE CAT/DEMONETTE/…….Haley Allen
THE DEMON………..………………………………………………….Tyler Felbel
THE GOOD FAIRY…………………………………………………….Kate Yahn
DOOR 1/HEAD CARD…………………………………………..….Allyson Rilley
THE DOWAGER COUNTESS/SENIL-ITY CAT…………….Gillian Myers
TWEEDLE-DUM……………………………………………………….Sparky MacDonald
TWEEDLE-DEE………………………………………………………….Malcolm Stead
COURTNEY/TWEEDLE-DUMMER………………..….…………Joscelyne Tamburri
DOOR 3/FLATULYNX/DEMONETTE…………………………..Meghan Grant
TIM-TAM-TANKED/DEMONETTE/THE MARCH HARE…Julia Schwartz
ALICE’S MOTHER/DOOR 2/CAT/QUEEN US………..……Claire Stewart
MAGICAL MR. HASLOTSA-A-FLEAS……………………..……Liam Fetigan
THE DOORMOUSE/CARD…………………………………..……. Aias Dalman
A QUEENS CARD/CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE.………………..Olivia Aduna
A QUEENS CARD/CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE…………………Simone Farley
A QUEENS CARD/CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE ..………………Elizabeth Ford
A QUEENS CARD/CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE ..………………Faro Koza-Rogers
A QUEENS CARD/CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE .……………….Maneli Shafiee

PRODUCTION TEAM

DIRECTOR………………………………………………………………….Chris Adams
PLAYWRIGHT……………………………………………………………..Erik Gow
CHOREOGRAPHER………….…………………………………………Suzanne Ouellette
MUSICAL DIRECTOR………………..…………………………………Katie-Rose Connors
PRODUCTION MANAGER…………………………………………..Catherine Morrison
PRODUCTION MANAGER…………………………………………..Alison Schamberger
STAGE MANAGER………..……………………………………………..Kat Palmer
ASST STAGE MANAGER……………………………………………..Brooke Abram
SET DESIGNER……………………………………………………………Tracy-Lynn Chernaske
SCENIC PAINTER/SET DECORATION.….………………………Tracy-Lynn Chernaske
SCENIC CARPENTER.…………………….……………………………Robin Richardson
COSTUME DESIGNER……………..…………………………………..Rene Schindel
COSTUME LIAISON…………………………………………………….Sean Ullmann
LIGHTING DESIGNER…………………………………………………..Les Erskine
GENERAL MANAGER/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR…..……..…..Les Erskine
GRAPHIC DESIGN………..……………………..………………………..Barbara LaBounta
PUBLICITY ..………………………………………………………………….Debra Danny  PHOTOGRAPHER…………………………………………………………Tracy-Lynn Chernaske

The Story

Alice has escaped her overbearing parents and a life of monotony by following the White Rabbit into Wonderland. The Mad Queen of Hearts is on a rampage expelling everyone and anything that doesn’t fit into the mold of the wackiness that is Wonderland… and that includes Alice!

Join Alice as she meets a crazy cast of characters as she explores Wonderland and makes her way back home. Will she be able to escape the reach of the Mad Queen of Hearts and evade lackeys Tweedle-Dee, Tweedle-Dum, and Tweddle-Dummer, and most importantly: will she sing and dance her way to freedom?

In true Panto fashion, the whole family is invited to participate in the action and help Alice make her way through the story.  You are invited to boo and hiss the bad guy, the iconic Panto Demon, and cheer on our hero under the protection of the Good Fairy.  Love, laughter and fun abound this holiday season with Alice in Wonderland ~ The Panto at the Metro Theatre.

Relaxed Performance

Metro Theatre is delighted to be offering a Relaxed Performance of Alice In Wonderland ~ the Panto on December 14, 2019 at 2 pm.

Relaxed performances – sometimes called “sensory friendly performances” or “extra live” performances – are specifically designed to make theatre more welcoming to audience members with a developmental disability, autism spectrum disorder, or a sensory and communication disorder.

The actors are “expecting the unexpected” and lights, sounds and seating are adjusted for the audience. The theatre has balcony, “behind glass” and extra wheelchair seating. The audience is free to move during the performance.

The very nature of the Panto encourages audience participation for those who like to speak out. The performance is equally fun for the cast, crew, caregivers and family members!

The performance is essentially the same show with some small adjustments for comfort:

— Sound levels are reduced
— Lighting levels inside the auditorium are increased
— No strobe lighting and some special effects are changed
— Theatre doors are left open so you’re free to come and go
— You can move around during the performance if needed
— A chill out zone in the lobby to relax

RELAXED PERFORMANCE TIckets  are on sale now and  priced $18 for children under 12 and $28 for adults.  Family 4 packs are $85. GST is additional on all tickets.

Directors Talk

Join Chris Adams, a Jessie Award Nominated Director and the cast on Friday December 20th immediately following that evenings performance of Alice in Wonderland.

Chris and the cast will discuss the merits of Pantomimes and how it translates to the world of Musical Theatre.

You will be given an inside look at how casting, rehearsals, and tech all work and are welcome to ask any question you have ever wanted to ask, we’ll be there with (Christmas) bells on!

“I remember sitting in the audience, as a little kid, booing the demon and cheering the good fairy and then rushing to the stage after the show, just to get autographs from the cast.  From that childhood time Panto has kept a warm place in my heart.  It wasn’t until after theatre school that I was first cast in a Panto, the Metro Panto, of course. Alice In Wonderland is the fourth panto I have directed for Metro. There is a deep rooted respect of a time honoured tradition that influences all the knowledge and love I have of Pantomimes.

Thank you to the families that bring their kids to the theatre.  Who knows, one day, they might be directing it.  Happy Holidays!” Chris Adams, Director