Join Sacred Heart’s Alice on her Adventures in Wonderland

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy will present “Alice in Wonderland,” the timeless Lewis Carroll classic, to audiences Thursday through Saturday.

Junior Brianne Howey of La Cañada Flintridge leads the cast as Alice, the little girl who falls asleep and finds herself in her own wonderland. Her journey introduces her to such memorable characters as the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, Humpty Dumpty and Tweedledum and Tweedledee. These characters and many more are portrayed by the 16 other students who make up the versatile cast, including Julia Musker and Molly Taylor of La Cañada.

For many, “Alice in Wonderland” brings Technicolor thoughts of Walt Disney and his golden-haired girl with the blue dress and white pinafore. Director Mark Bommarito opted for a more stylized look, basing the show’s design on John Tenniel’s illustrations.

“The challenge is to get beyond the cartoon, stick to the original story and still entertain the audience,” Bommarito said. The use of video projection, striking costumes and outrageous wigs bring to life a Wonderland that anyone would like to journey into.

“Alice in Wonderland” will open with a 6:30 p.m. reception Thursday and a 7:30 p.m. curtain, and continue with 7:30 p.m. curtains through Saturday. For more information, please contact (626) 685-8309.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is Southern California’s only independent, Roman Catholic, day and boarding school for girls in grades nine through 12. The school provides a strong, college preparatory program supported by an active and innovative Christian service component. Renowned Southern California architect Myron Hunt designed the main buildings of the school as a luxury hotel in 1927; however, the resort, managed by Sen. Frank P. Flint, ultimately failed. The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose purchased the former Flintridge Biltmore Hotel at auction in 1931 and thus established the school. Sitting on 41 acres in the San Rafael Hills of Western San Gabriel Valley, FSHA has continued to thrive and expand for over 70 years, serving thousands of students from both the United States and abroad. There are 422 students enrolled in FSHA for the 2004-2005 academic year.