BAM creates wonderland on stage

When BAMtheatre's Conservatory Ensemble was asked to introduce Disney's "Alice in Wonderland Jr." at the Junior Theater Festival in California earlier this year, the honor paid off for the entire BAM community. After being chosen as one of five ensembles to participate in the festival's New Works Showcase, the local theater education program earned the privilege of debuting the show as its Broadway Kids Summer Edition Production.

"That gave us the first little glimpse of what 'Alice in Wonderland Jr.' could be," BAM director Melanie Lamoureax said of the showcase performance.

The rest of the community will see what it can be when about 75 young performers bring Alice and all of Wonderland's colorful characters to life Aug. 1-3 in the performance space at Avenue Christian Church, 5750 Holmes Ave., Clarendon Hills.

"It's going to look like you've entered Wonderland," said Lamoureax.

Directed by BAM creative director Allyssa O'Donnell, with costumes designed by Cheryl Newman, Lamoureax said audiences can expect sparkles, color and even a bit of magic.

"We pull out all the stops with our summer shows," Lamoureax said.

A member of BAM since 2019, 12-year-old Veronica Gartner of Hinsdale plays Alice in her first leading role in a BAM summer mainstage production.

"There are a lot of songs and a lot of singing," Veronica said. She said Alice goes through many adventures - and just as many emotions as she considers who she is and who she wants to be. In the song "In a World of My Own," one of several featuring Veronica, Alice imagines an ideal place.

"I love everything about his show," Veronica said. That includes her fellow actors and the characters they portray.

Fourth-grader Owen Bugaj of Hinsdale portrays Dodo, the leader of the Queen of Heart's army. Owen said his character is a happy creature with

a lot of energy.

"Dodo Bird runs around a lot," he said, which requires Owen to perform some tricky choreography, some of which is done while singing.

Owen said he's excited to play such a likable character in his first summer mainstage show.

"It's just an amazing show," he said.

At age 11, Ethan Jeong is already a seasoned part of BAM's summer theater program, having appeared in last summer's production of "Finding Nemo" and many other productions since joining BAM in 2019.

Ethan plays the King of Hearts, which requires him to sing and to perform a long monologue as he stops the queen's plan to chop off Alice's head.

"I feel like he's still evil, but he's not as evil as the Queen of Hearts," Ethan said.

Fourth-grader Grace Tuthill of Hinsdale plays Tweedle Dum to Stella Horner's Tweedle Dee.

"They're silly, silly twins who confuse Alice," Grace said. The role requires a lot of physical humor, which Grace said has been a challenge to learn but fun to perform.

Performances of Alice in Wonderland Jr. will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 1 and 2, and at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Tickets range from $24 to $28 and can be purchased at http://www.bamtheatre.com.