It takes three Alices for this play to come to life

Three different actresses played the part of Alice Wednesday as students presented the play "Alice in Wonderland Jr." at Hawthorn Middle School North in Vernon Hills.

Anett Vaysberg, Katie Kim and Lora Dohler played the part as the character changed sizes throughout the play that was performed for about 250 students from Hawthorn, School of Dual Language and Townline Elementary School.

"It's a cast of 35 kids that have been working very hard on getting the choreography, music and the lines down," explained director Jef Mazzuca.

"They are so excited to have an audience and put it out there for people to see."

The production is based on the 1951 Disney film and the novels "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll.

"It's been an amazing experience and super fun playing Alice," said Lora, an eighth-grader who played the tall Alice after she ate a magical cookie. "We've put a lot of work into this. It's super funny and it's really great."

The play will be performed for the public at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for students, and can be purchased at the door.