Monmouth Community Players create a modern-day 'Alice'

Cast members in Monmouth Community Players' production of "Alice - A Return to Wonderland" are, from left, Gregor Smith as the Mad Hatter, Lisa Patton as Alice, Meagan Scully as Samantha, and Kathi Asquith as Queen of Hearts.

MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Community Players will take audiences into the world of a grown-up Alice with its original musical production, "Alice - A Return to Wonderland."

Set in modern times, an adult Alice (Lisa Patton of Livermore Falls) and her teenage daughter Samantha (Meagan Scully of Winthrop) find themselves questioning what they really want in life, and finding the time to do it.

The story blends old and new characters from Wonderland as audience members learn that the Queens are being abducted, one by one.

One new character is The Prezident of Wonderland (Eric Lundquist of Augusta) protected by familiar names Tweedle Dee and Dum (Chris Allen of Monmouth and Ben Doughty of Winthrop).

Favorites include the White Rabbit (Andy Tolman of Readfield), the Queen of Hearts (Kathi Asquith of Greene), and the Mad Hatter (Gregor Smith of Belgrade).

Written and directed by Duane Glover of Winthrop, the story is a sequel to Lewis Carroll favorites "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass."

"The goal was to create an opportunity for families and communities to come out, work together, create a show and have a good time," Glover said. And come they did. The cast and crew number around 60 people, with participants coming from 14 towns.
"We have five of the Gouette family from Auburn. We have five of the Lattin family from Winthrop. And we have seven of the Caron family from north Monmouth, performing and helping, " Glover added.

Overseeing music for the show is longtime MCP member Michael T. French of Wayne. Contributing lyrics and story concepts are Emily Trefethen of Litchfield (also the White Queen) and Lucie Glover of Winthrop (also co-producing).
Other production crew members: Christine D. Heckman of Monmouth, assistant director; Rebecca Caron, choreography; Linda Duarte of Lewiston, stage manager; David and Michelle Handley of Monmouth, set.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24; and 30-31; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, at Cumston Hall. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and students. For tickets or more information, call 933-2229.