After attending the Walnut Street Theatre Summer Camp, Haddonfield Memorial High School’s very own Joanna Moles, 15, and Joseph Tully, 15, will be taking a magical leap down the rabbit hole, performing in the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids’ production of “Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.” Moles will be playing the part of the Caterpillar while Tully will be playing the part of Tweedle Dum.
Moles has been going to Camp Walnut since fourth grade, and this will be her third time performing, while this will be Tully’s debut at the Walnut Street Theatre.
“Last year, I was in ‘Seussical,’ which was fun to do. It was a really cool experience and I’m excited to do it again,” Moles said.
Moles started her love for theater young. Her parents are both avid theatergoers and brought Moles to performances as a child. She not only enjoyed watching the performances, but also now loves to be a part of the performance itself.
Tully, on the other hand, didn’t have much experience in theater until his middle school years. He loved singing ever since he was 4, especially theater songs, but never thought he could do anything with it until his sixth-grade teacher told him otherwise.
Tully met Moles in a school performance. She introduced him to the Walnut Street Theatre Summer Camp and he decided to join.
“I feel like if I hadn’t done what I did before, Walnut Theatre wouldn’t have been a possible thing,” Tully said. “I’d like for all the people who work for Walnut Theatre to know how much I appreciate them. They were all such wonderful inspiration, and I can’t thank them enough and being there for me and helping me understand my character. I’ve never had that one-on-one experience that gave me the potential to not embarrass myself on stage.”
The Walnut Street Theatre Summer Camp experience promises to help children not only learn about theater, but expand other skills within their singing, acting and more. Tully felt that was one of his favorite parts and one that really helped him grow as an actor.
“Before, a character was just a character, but now that character is me. I have to change for that character, not that character changing for me. It’s really been eye-opening about character,” Tully said. “It is hard to do, but it is amazing what I have learned with theater in the past four weeks in ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’”
Another one of Tully’s favorite parts was becoming so close with the cast. Moles felt that was her favorite part, too.
“I love being in an atmosphere where everyone loves what they are doing. Working hard and having fun doing what we love, it turns out well because of that,” Moles said.
Compared to past experiences on the Walnut Street Theatre stage, Moles said this is a different show and will be a different experience for her. However, she is excited to do it again.
Moles gets to sing the song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” which was adapted to the musical. During the song, she said be prepared for a fun and musical dance number. She described her character as “a little crazy,” but ultimately helps Alice by telling her to be herself when others are telling her to be different.
On the other hand, Tully, who plays the part of Tweedle Dum, considers his character to be a very young child. He and Tweedle Dee, though maybe not the brightest, know how to perform manners. They feel that, because of their manners, they are superior to Alice. How they boss around Alice will be revealed in the musical.
“It is a very, very fun show. It is the junior version, so some is cut out, but there are still the recognizable characters: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit,” Moles said. “It’s fun for everyone. It is fun to perform it and fun to see, something you can take your kids to. I recommend anyone who enjoys ‘Alice in Wonderland’ or children’s shows to come out and see it. We’d love to see everyone there.”
Based on the book by Lewis Carroll and the 1951 Disney film, the hour-long musical “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” will be performed at Walnut Street Theatre Sept. 20 through Sept. 28. Tickets are $14 to $16 with group discounts available for groups of 10 or more. For tickets and information, call (215) 574–3550 or (800) 982–2787. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ticketmaster or by visiting the Walnut’s website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.
