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Community Corner

JRMS Players present Alice's Wonderland

John Read Middle School presents

Alice's Wonderland


Strange things are afoot at John Read Middle School. Last week a white rabbit appeared hurrying through the cafeteria. On Tuesday, a peculiar man in a large hat was seen slurping tea near the teachers' lounge, and just yesterday a thought-to-be-extinct Dodo bird was spotted getting off a school bus. Don't worry, the world hasn't turned upside down, it's just time for JRMS' annual theatrical production, and if you hadn't already guessed, this year the John Read Players are presenting Alice's Wonderland.

Alice's Wonderland features 46 actors, 8 student crew members, 12 student musicians, and 6 high school production staff members that have been hard at work on this original musical by Redding's own Diana Canova and Kathy Weiss.

Diana Canova and Kathy Weiss have been co-writing musicals for the middle school actor for the past eight years. Prior to that Diana, a professional actor and director, had created a theater program at John Read Middle School in 1990. The creative duo started writing their own material, basically taking familiar stories and infusing them with songs, because of the lack of material that is friendly to middle school voices. "We found that Broadway, Jr. wasn't really 'junior' at all, just Broadway shorter," says Ms. Weiss. "It is so nice to hear songs out of these kids that are written just for them, within their ranges and abilities," Ms. Canova says. Their musicals are unique among middle school productions because they feature live music performed by an orchestra. "We added pit musicians in recent years," explains Ms. Weiss, "providing more access for students who cannot make the full eight week commitment or who aren't interested in acting."

"Basically we have been fulfilling our own needs as director and musical director of kids whose voices are changing from minute to minute. Kathy and I pay special attention to what the kids can and cannot do, musically and dramatically." Ms. Weiss adds, "We adjust the tone so that the humor is adolescent." Ms. Canova also writes books and lyrics that are humorous not only to a youthful audience, but to their parents as well. "If it makes Kathy and I laugh, it's probably going to be good for the adult audience as well!"

This delightful production is hilarious, exciting, and great fun for the whole family!

Performances are May 7-9 at 7 PM, Saturday May 10th at 2 PM
John Read Middle School, 486 Redding Road, Redding, CT 06896
For tickets please visit johnreadps.org under Students/ JRMS Theater

For more information please contact JRMSPlayers@gmail.com
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