Credit: Lenora Champagne
Teens on Stage, a musical producing program of The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, will present “Alice by Heart,” a musical by the Tony Award-winning duo Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, who set “Spring Awakening” to music. The show, being performed Feb. 2 – 11, will feature Pine Plains’ own Sarah Griffin in the title role. Other Pine Plains actors in the cast are Lee Griffin, who has appeared in multiple Teens on Stage productions previously, and Max McBride.
The production, directed by Lynne Czajka, is inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Set in bombed-out London during World War II, teen Alice Spencer and her friend Alfred take shelter in an underground subway station. When Alfred becomes ill and is quarantined, Alice regales him with tales from the book, and real life increasingly starts to resemble Wonderland.
Sarah, along with her brother, Lee Griffin, and Max McBride, also members of the “Alice” cast, are long-time participants in Stissing Theatre Guild (STG) musicals at Stissing Mountain High School. In fact, all three are in the upcoming STG musical, “Matilda,” which will be performed in March. How can they do both? “We auditioned for both shows in November. We rehearse from 2:30 to 5 for ‘Matilda’ at the high school, then go to Rhinebeck and rehearse from 6 to 8:30 there,” she said. And that’s after a full school day. These kids are no slackers.
The rehearsal and performance experience in Rhinebeck differs from Pine Plains. “It’s a smaller and more mature cast,” Max said. In STG productions, most of which have very large casts, there are parts for students from fifth to twelfth grades. In the Rhinebeck productions, “they all have experience,” added Lee, who has been in four Teens on Stage shows previously. “The winter shows require serious vocal and acting ability.”
Sarah noted that the musicals in Pine Plains are “lighter, because you’re considering proper themes for younger audiences and performers,” whereas, as Max, who plays the Mad Hatter in “Alice,” pointed out, “Alice by Heart” “is more intense. It has more substance.” Lee noted that “the winter shows in Rhinebeck are heavier.” He plays a Mock Turtle, who encourages Alice to feel grief. “Grief is a common experience; the accepting stage is important,” he says.
“This show speaks in a different way,” Lee said. “From a different perspective,” Max seconded. Sarah concluded: “The show has a bittersweet ending. Sad, but fills you with hope. Makes you feel warm.”
“Alice by Heart” at the CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck will open on Friday, Feb. 2, and be performed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 11. Shows are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $19