Reviews: Alice by Heart at Bullis School
Written by Ari Collins of Quince Orchard High School
The dingy London Underground is no place for a young girl, but curiouser and curiouser, Alice Spencer finds a way to turn the horrors of the war into wonderland at Bullis Theatre's production of Alice By Heart.
Heading down the hole, Alice By Heart, which debuted at the London's Royal National Theatre in 2012, follows Alice Spencer, a teen girl who chooses to lose herself in the pages of her favorite book, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, instead of facing the horrors of the 1941 London Blitz. Alongside the other survivors taking shelter in the London Underground, Alice is forced to face the reality of growing up and the changes time brings through a distinctly wondrous and strange lens. Alice and her best friend Alfred experience what a trial it is to grow up and face the real world, while also learning that sometimes clinging to your past, although comforting, holds you back from living your best life.
Driven by time and providing a powerful emotional performance, Abe Gold as Alfred was the true heart of the production. Gold's devastating expressions and sickly tone, utilizing vocal breaks to convey emotion, created a truly sympathetic character. His emotional arc of coming to terms with his own death and desperation to chase the ever-ticking clock that is time was raw and impactful, expertly portraying the horrors experienced by young people in WWII. His potent vocals as the White Rabbit and March Hare elevated this portrayal all the more. Throughout songs like "The Key Is" and "Sick to Death of Alice-ness" Gold demonstrated crisp vocal control and heartfelt inflection. His chemistry with Juliet Wade's Alice Spencer was a particular highlight, both working together seamlessly in vocals and dance to craft a believable relationship and romance.
Kylie Works as the Queen of Hearts had a truly commanding and authoritative stage presence. Her rich vocals and belts in "Isn't It a Trial" conveyed an air of power around her fit for a queen. Further, Works' chemistry with the other actors and ability to flow through scenes was skillful, never letting a line or jab linger for too long before she brought everything back into focus.
Behind Works and Gold was the fantastical Alice By Heart ensemble. The ensemble of this show took on the difficult challenge of portraying both struggling youth in WWII and the whimsical creatures and characters of Wonderland with proficient ease. Their cohesion in numbers like "Chilling the Regrets" and lush harmonies in songs like "Winter Blooms" built up both worlds beautifully, pulling the audience into this wonderfully strange tragedy.
Managing the seamless transitions between 1940s London and Wonderland was the stage manager Jinho Yoon and assistant stage managers Kendall Smith, Elijah Michelena, and Henry Lehn. The team managed all show communication and cues, making sure every sound effect, set transition, and projection flowed with the story. In particular, Yoon's lighting design alongside Noah Yablonsky was striking and unique. Their use of silhouettes as a storytelling device throughout the show was creative, paired with their use of colors to differentiate characters and environments.
The story may have come to an end, and suitcases may be getting packed, but the emotional impact Bullis Theatre left on the audience with their integrity and talent is something they will forever know by heart.
Written by Teddy Hughes of Albert Einstein High School
Come down the rabbit hole and into a world shaped by memory and imagination. Bullis School's production of Alice by Heart transformed the stage into both a war-torn London train station and the surreal landscape of Wonderland. Set during World War II, the musical follows Alice Spencer as she copes with fear and loss by escaping into a reimagined version of Alice in Wonderland. The production skillfully balanced these two realities, creating a performance that was both emotionally grounded and visually imaginative.
Alice by Heart premiered in 2012 and was created by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. The book was written by Jessie Nelson. The show draws inspiration from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, reimagining its characters within the context of the London Blitz during World War II. Known for its emotional depth and contemporary score, the musical blends historical reality with fantasy to explore themes of grief, memory, and the power of storytelling.
Juliet Wade delivered a standout performance as Alice, demonstrating remarkable stamina and control as she remained on stage for nearly the entire show. Her vocals were consistently strong, and she effectively conveyed Alice's emotional journey as it shifted between hope, denial, and grief. Abe Gold matched her performance as Alfred, bringing both vocal strength and emotional depth to the role. His portrayal was particularly compelling as Alfred's mental state declined; subtle changes in his voice and physicality made the character's unraveling feel authentic and impactful.
The supporting cast contributed to an exceptionally strong ensemble. Xavier Walker's Caterpillar was a highlight, featuring impressive vocal control and a memorable riff that stood out within the show. Talia Sachs brought a distinct physicality to the Cheshire Cat, using controlled, feline-inspired movement to create a mysterious and fluid presence on stage. Kylie Works commanded attention as the Queen of Hearts, delivering a powerful performance that balanced authority with theatrical flair. Her dynamic with Sebastian Schroth's King of Hearts added both comic relief and intensity, while Schroth's portrayal of the Jabberwock was notably effective, using a deep, growling vocal quality to create a genuinely intimidating character.
One of the production's most impressive elements was how seamlessly actors transitioned between their real-world roles and their Wonderland counterparts. Each performer retained subtle traits from their original character while fully committing to their alternate identity, reinforcing the connection between the two worlds. The ensemble remained consistently engaged, demonstrating strong chemistry and a clear sense of purpose in their movements and interactions.
Technically, the production was highly cohesive. The lighting design played a crucial role in distinguishing between settings, using shifts in color to clearly signal transitions between the muted tones of the train station and the vibrant, surreal quality of Wonderland. The use of sirens was particularly effective, pulling the audience out of fantasy and back into the reality of wartime London. The multi-level set was used thoughtfully, with actors utilizing different heights to represent power dynamics and key narrative moments, including scenes of loss.
Additional design elements further enhanced the storytelling. Props reflected the time period, with the train station appearing intentionally dull and worn in contrast to the more colorful and imaginative elements of Wonderland. The choreography consistently matched the tone of each song, helping to reinforce the emotional atmosphere of each scene. Behind the scenes, strong stage management ensured organization and smooth transitions, while sound design, including clear microphones and well-timed effects, supported the overall performance.
Overall, Bullis High School's Alice by Heart was a powerful and thoughtfully executed production. Through strong performances, creative staging, and cohesive technical design, the show effectively captured the emotional weight of its story while celebrating the transformative power of imagination.