Kane County Chronicle

Steel Beam features 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'

Corrin Stines (from left) of St. Charles, Beth Kahan of Geneva and Laura Sanderson of St. Charles are shown playing three flowers gracing the stage in Steel Beam Theatre's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." (Provided photo)

By KANE COUNTY

Steel Beam Theatre Children’s Theatre in St. Charles will open its 10th season with “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” Sept. 11-Oct. 3.

This adaption of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale turns the Steel Beam Theatre stage into a magical world where nonsense makes perfect sense, a recent news release said.

South Elgin’s Ellie Feldsien, as Alice, embarks on an adventure where she encounters a tardy white rabbit, talking chess pieces and a hilarious tea party hosted by one very mad hatter. As Alice takes her journey through a looking glass world where animals and flowers talk, her basic assumptions are shattered and replaced with new perspectives of her own world. Alice’s adventure begins Sept. 11 and runs Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. through Oct. 3. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for children younger than 16. They can be purchased online at www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

The Steel Beam Children’s Theatre’s motto is “It’s what happens off stage that counts,” the release said. Steel Beam Theatre mission is not just about a starring role, and that during the process of rehearsal and presentation, critical life skills are developed such as communication, respect, discipline and teamwork, the release said.

Aurora attorney Bernie K. Weiler directs the show. Weiler holds degrees in theater and law from Loyola University in Chicago. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is Weiler’s third play at Steel Beam Theatre, having just directed last season’s “It Could Be Any One of Us.”

Sarah Andersson of Geneva is working as assistant director and stage manager through Steel Beam Theatre’s internship program. Steel Beam Theatre offers student internships in direction, music direction, production, media, publicity and advertising.

The cast includes: Nicholas Amodeo, Winfield; August Anderson, Batavia; Madison Kleba, Elburn; Haley Maul, Aurora; Sean Preins, Lombard; Mary Alice Roach, Wayne; Leikyn Bravo, South Elgin; Amanda Barnes, Kate Fallon, Lindsay Holbrook, Beth Kahan, Sydney Nitschke, all of Geneva;  and Elyssa Cruz, Celina DiCiaula, Draven Hutcheson, Beth Mehl, Aidan Morris, Amanda Sallmann, Laura Sanderson, Corrin Stines, Andrew Stutesman, all of St. Charles.

Steel Beam Theatre is celebrating 10 years of affordable professional theater during its 2010-11 season. For more information, visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com.