Tickets Now on Sale for Upper School Performing Arts Production of Alice by Heart

The Upper School Performing Arts Department is pleased to present its fall musical production, Alice by Heart, Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. Performances will take place at the iconic South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). To purchase your tickets, visit SOPAC’s website, here.

Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It takes place in the rubble of the London blitz during World War II, when teenager Alice Spencer and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and travel down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

“The audience can look forward to a beautiful story told in a creative way,” says Cecilia Hirawat ’26, who plays Dr. Butridge, King of Hearts, and Jabberwock. “The theme of growth is represented so differently but so well throughout the show, and I'm really excited to portray that.”

Says Avery Sinclair ’26, who plays Alice Spencer, “The scene I’m most excited about is ‘Sick to Death of Alice-ness,’ not only because it’s a fun number to perform, but also because it’s really engaging between me and the other characters on stage, played by Vincent Wilson ’26, Mia Ramos ’26, and Emily Forester ’27.”

While the Kent Place Leadership Center for Athletics, Wellness, and Performing Arts is under construction, performing arts students have the unique opportunity to perform at SOPAC, a stage that regularly welcomes world-class talent and Broadway performers. The venue also has an orchestra pit, where three Kent Place musicians — Lauren Herman ’26, Kate Lee ’26, and Skylar Li ’26 — will perform. 

“We can’t wait to fill SOPAC’s space with our wonderful show,” says Sophie Ewart ’26, who plays Tabatha and Cheshire Cat. “Performing there provides us more wing space, an orchestra pit, and the ability to reach a larger audience. It’ll be a true Broadway experience, as we transfer our show from the Common Room (where we’ve been rehearsing) to a professional stage.”

The show is directed by Keri Lesnik P ’27, Upper School theater teacher, with musical direction by Neil Ginsberg, who teaches Middle and Upper School chorus, and choreography by Maya Fortgang.

The show runs approximately 110 minutes and is recommended for ages 12 and older. 

Cast: Amalia Benke ’27, Sam Canalog ’27, Ember Daniels ’29, Sophie Ewart ’26, Emily Foerster ’27, Lorelei Gustafson-Johnson ’26, Cecilia Hirawat ’26, Nicole Hoffman ’28, Destiny Keith ’28, Dylan Klug ’29, Kendi Littletree ’27, Sophia Marsheh ’29, Sarah Mattle ’28, Evelyne Mendelsohn ’26, Ana Monteiro ’27, Eva Obalde ’29, Mia Ramos ’26, Avery Sinclair ’26, Isabella Urgilez ’29, Vivienne Vengroff ’27, and Vincent Wilson ’26

Stage management team: Willa Gross ’26, Austen Fiala ’28, and Soon Min Pearlman ’29; with dance captain Amalia Benke ’27; scenic painting by Willa Gross ’26 and Ani Mendieta-Frost ’26; and headshot photography by Ani Mendieta-Frost ’26

Traveling to SOPAC
SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange — just 20 minutes from the Kent Place campus. For directions, click here.