NFT Youth Ensemble presents Alice in Wonderland at Pheasant Run Resort

The Noble Fool Theatricals Youth Ensemble (soon-to-be Fox Valley Rep Youth Ensemble in 2011) proudly presents Alice in Wonderland, a Disney fairy tale inspired by Lewis Carroll's well-known novels. The adventures of Alice in a wondrous world filled with even more wondrous creatures is sure to come alive on stage with the help of a talented cast of teens from the Western Suburbs.

Alice in Wonderland is the story of a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and ends up in a fantasy world much different from her own. The Youth Ensemble is taking this classic Disney tale and updating it with contemporary makeup and costumes, and will create a mood inspired by Tim Burton's version.It will include familiar characters like the Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and even a DoDo Bird. With songs such as "How D'ya Do", and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," there's a lot to love in wonderland, so "don't be late!"

Jacque Lueken is directing this NFT production and is no stranger to the Youth Ensemble, having shared her directing talents in the 2009 production of It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

"With this show we are really delving into the reasons Alice encounters the characters she does in Wonderland," says Lueken. "The questions we find ourselves continually coming back to during rehearsals are 'When is it a dream?' and 'When is it a nightmare?' We are also focusing on the fact that Alice does not get to leave Wonderland because the dream is over, but in order to escape back into reality she needs to confront her fears before she can wake up."

Alice will be played by St. Charles resident Abby Strombres, having also appeared in the Youth Ensemble production of Sleeping Beauty last year.

The Alice in Wonderland cast includes residents from Bartlett: Melanie Christian, Katie Jackovin, Payton Pinsky; Bloomingdale: Sofia Defino, Gianna Pennacchio, Carol Stream: Lily Defino, Kara Pierce, Kyle Schwitchenberg, Elgin: Arianna Nutile, Geneva: Molly Carberry, Anika Nims, Alice Paul, Cassie Steffey, Natalie White, Lombard: Nathan Dittemore, Stephanie Dittemore, Naperville: Rachel Becker, Roselle: Gabby Vaia, St. Charles: Kayleigh Aleck, Allison Cook, Mara Handler, Sonia Melton, Samantha Ruehl, Daniel Solon, Abby Stombres, Wayne: Gianna Marchese, West Chicago: Ashley Tijerina.

Director is Jacque Lueken of Chicago and Musical Director is St. Charles resident Debra Stombres.

The NFT Youth Ensemble is an exclusive, audition-only program for the best and the brightest young talent. Students are responsible for memorizing lines, music and choreography, and learn the craft of theater through the process of preparing for live performances. For more information on upcoming youth opportunities, visit www.noblefool.org/education or call 630-364-0550.

Alice in Wonderland, rated G, will be presented Saturdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 10:30 am; Friday, December 10 at 10:30 am; and Sunday, December 19 at 2 pm on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults; $12 for children 12 and under.

Ample free parking and valet services are available at Pheasant Run Resort. The resort and theaters are wheelchair accessible and hearing amplification systems are available. Ask the box office about lunch packages and group discounts.

Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.noblefool.org.

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