Down The Rabbit Hole: Marist Brings ‘Alice by Heart’ Home to Poughkeepsie
The cast of "Alice by Heart" during one of the musical numbers. Photo Courtesy of Marist Theatre
On Feb. 26, Marist Theatre presented its Spring Mainstage Performance of “Alice by Heart.” The show ran in the Nelly Goletti Theatre from Feb. 26 through March 1.
The show was developed as part of the 2018 Marist summer session of New York Stage and Film (NYSAF), where new productions are shaped before moving on to larger stages, such as Broadway and regional theaters. Notable productions developed at NYSAF include “Hamilton” and “Hadestown.”
Years later, it returns to Poughkeepsie in a full-circle moment for the Marist community. Inspired by the story of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “Alice by Heart” takes this beloved tale and reimagines it during the World War II London Blitz.
The story follows teenager Alice Spencer, played by Megan Metivier ‘28, and her friend Alfred, played by Nicholas Ferrari ‘27, as they take shelter in a London Underground tube station. To distract themselves from the war and Alfred’s illness, Alice leads them down the rabbit hole into the imaginative world of Wonderland. It’s a unique take for audiences already familiar with the classic tale.
“‘Alice by Heart’ is a show about grieving. This show is far from the Alice in Wonderland they [the audience] may be familiar with,” said Metivier.
For Ferrari, stepping into the role of Alfred meant navigating multiple emotional layers throughout the production.
“The biggest challenge that I faced during the rehearsal process was switching between the different faces Alfred takes on throughout the story,” said Ferrari. “Early in the process, I found it much easier to fall into the March Hare instead of the White Rabbit, since I found it easier to get angry at the character’s situation instead of losing myself in the anxiety.”
While designed to be whimsical, the production does not shy away from the emotional weight of its wartime setting and backdrop. Olivia Locarno ‘28, who played Clarissa and the Mock Mock Mock Turtle, reflected on the intensity and vulnerability required of the cast.
“This show is beautiful, but it really digs into the darkness of what grief truly is. At times, it was hard to go through these scenes and songs that were so sad to be singing,” said Locarno.
The historical context of the London Blitz grounds the fantasy in reality. For many living in London during the German airstrikes, underground stations became temporary homes and safe havens. Families slept on platforms and built fragile communities beneath the city, which is perfectly depicted on the stage.
Translating that unique environment to the stage required a commitment to historical accuracy.
“I sourced London Underground advertisements, wartime propaganda posters, and period-specific signage,” said Dramaturg Rebecca Norkus ‘29.
The production crew utilized practical 1940s wartime costuming, such as gas masks and flashlights, adding a powerful layer of realism to the show.
“Our production’s scenic design captured the overcrowded and claustrophobic atmosphere of a
real tube station, emphasizing both the temporality and confinement of what the story
conveyed. The historical setting transforms the narrative in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland from a whimsical adaptation into a story about survival,” said Norkus.
“The propaganda posters were very accurate to the time period of World War II,” said history major Lauren Meier ‘28, who attended the production. “The depictions of PTSD and mental health did not romanticize the trauma they were experiencing or try to make it a thing that everyone felt sorry about.”
The production also required actors to adapt physically to the set’s design. With moving set pieces and towering scenic elements that constantly moved throughout the show, performers had to remain aware of their surroundings. Laura Drinkwater ‘26, who played Tabitha and the Cheshire Cat, noted that working within the space was difficult at times.
“The set was gorgeous, but as an actor, there were a lot of limitations and safety considerations to keep in mind, such as the flying walls,” said Drinkwater. “Although it was hard to work around, I think the set was perfect, and it really tied the show together.”
As a senior, “Alice by Heart” marked Drinkwater’s final performance with Marist Theatre.
“Being part of this club has been one of my best college experiences. Theatre isn’t just about making art – it’s learning from the art and taking the lessons you’ve learned with you out of the theatre,” she said.
With more than 65 collaborators ranging from students, faculty and staff, the scale of the production reflects months of coordination and dedication. While the show was put on in late February, preparations began almost a year prior. From set transitions to the creative use of everyday objects as props, the cast and crew worked collectively to bring both worlds to life.
Through immense attention to detail and commitment to storytelling, “Alice by Heart” delivered a show that resonated far beyond the stage.
“One thing I took away from this show was that you really can not take anything for granted. I hope people will take away a similar message: to cherish the time you have with your loved ones, because you never know when it may be over,” said Metivier.
Marist Theatre’s next performance, “Shakespeare in Hollywood,” is set to open April 9.