Category Archives: Press Releases

(Sitting) freshman Henry Weddle, sophomore Audrey Mendralski, senior Chad Bowling, sophomore Sydney Ventura, freshman Easton Gliebe, senior Chrisanthi Burch, and senior Ashley Gildenblatt, as well as (standing) senior Olivia Weddle, senior Sam Harper, junior Ben Hartong, junior Callie Ziegler, and senior Sam Chandler.

Anderson High School is entering their seventh decade of spring musicals by presenting “Alice by Heart,” a new musical by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, who won two Tony Awards in 2007 for their musical “Spring Awakening.”

“Alice by Heart” is a poignant and lyrical re-telling of the Lewis Carrol classic through the eyes of a group of teenagers trapped in an underground bunker in WWII London. Alice Stuart uses the familiar tale to distract herself and her best friend, Alfred, who has tuberculosis, from the horrors of their isolation.

As Alice tells the story of “Alice in Wonderland,” the teens and adults around her transform into characters from Wonderland, from the Mad Hatter to the Queen of Hearts. Alfred becomes the White Rabbit, and as he grows weaker the characters explore the ways we deal with grief, loss, and love.

Director and Theatre and Film Teacher Chad Weddle chose this work, in part, “because this generation of young people are still dealing with the pain and loss and isolation of their Covid experience. This musical shows all of us a path forward—a way to use imagination and story to  process emotion and to heal.”

“Alice by Heart” runs April 25-28 at Anderson High School. Tickets are $15 at the door, with special $10 senior and student pricing available in advance through http://www.ShowTix.com. For more information, visit AndersonTheatre.com.

The cast of Anderson Theatre’s “Alice by Heart” includes (sitting) freshman Henry Weddle, sophomore Audrey Mendralski, senior Chad Bowling, sophomore Sydney Ventura, freshman Easton Gliebe, senior Chrisanthi Burch, and senior Ashley Gildenblatt, as well as (standing) senior Olivia Weddle, senior Sam Harper, junior Ben Hartong, junior Callie Ziegler, and senior Sam Chandler. Visit AndersonTheatre.com for information and tickets.

Alice at AHS Tracks:

Anderson Theatre’s “Alice by Heart” runs April 25 through 28. Cast members include (front row) freshman Easton Gliebe, senior Chad Bowling, sophomore Audrey Mendralski, senior Olivia Weddle, sophomore Sydney Ventura, freshman Henry Weddle, and senior Ashley Gildenblatt, (back row) junior Ben Hartong, senior Sam Harper, senior Sam Chandler, junior Callie Ziegler, and senior Chrisanthi Burch.

Alice at AHS stairs:

Students from Anderson Theatre’s production of “Alice by Heart.” The show runs April 25 through 28 at Anderson High School, and tickets are available at the door and by visiting their website, AndersonTheatre.com.