Alicia in Wonder Tierra
“Candy for the eyes” is one way Director Lanny Langston describes “Alicia in Wonder Tierra”, a family-friendly play about a Mexican-American girl on journey to discover her roots, which opens Sept. 21 at the Morgan Theatre.
The play by Sylvia Gonzales S. is the story of a young girl named Alicia who, after breaking a piece of Mexican pottery, is sent on a magical journey to an Aztec Temple in order to find the pottery maker. As a result, Alicia learns how to incorporate her Mexican roots into her American lifestyle
“It’s really about embracing who you are,” said Langston, who is a grad student in the theatre department.
Although the cast has only had three weeks to rehearse instead of the usual five, Langston is confident that the audience will be pleased.
“I think the audience really will like it,” said Langston, “and I’m not just saying that because I’m the director. The set is amazing and the costumes are really cool.”
Leslie Aldridge, who is also a grad student in the theatre department, was involved with designing costumes for “Alicia in Wonder Tierra” and agreed that the costumes and set are what really bring this play to life.
“I wanted a lot of color and texture to describe the culture,” Aldridge said.
Much of the credit for the production’s whimsical look can be attributed to the stage and costume crew, who was responsible for building the colorful set, changing people’s clothes and even stepping in as extras.
Ben Garvis, a senior majoring in theatre, said it was his first time working on stage crew and that he has enjoyed looking at a production from a different angle.
“It’s a learning experience,” said Garvis. “You appreciate the people behind the scenes a lot more.”
While it is loosely based on “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz”, “Alicia in Wonder Tierra” is a far cry from a typical fairy tale. From puppets to giant talking skulls, the cast members of “Alicia in Wonder Tierra” said there are many reasons why they enjoyed being a part of this unique production.
“The most interesting thing for me was working with the puppets,” said Melisa Stowe, a junior majoring in theatre who plays Alicia. “You work twice as hard because you have to interact and put animation into the puppets, but it’s been a lot of fun.”
Another challenge was perfecting the accent said Jeff Dransfield, a sophomore majoring in liberal arts, who plays Ramon.
“I watched a lot of Antonio Banderas movies,” Dransfield said.
It is was the first time directing a main stage production for Langston, who said that he has really enjoyed working behind the scenes because it gives him more creative freedom.
“It’s like a painting,” Langston said, “as an actor you can only be a color stroke, the color the director wants you to be.”
Langston said that he has really enjoyed working with the cast and that there has been a mutual respect through out the three weeks.
“[Langston] is fun to work with and he has a lot of idea,” said Allyson Carranza, a junior majoring in theater who plays Elvira 1 in “Alice in Wonder Tierra”.
“Alicia in Wonder Tierra” will be playing Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Morgan Theatre in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the Utah State campus. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Stowe said “Alicia in Wonder Tierra” is aimed at all ages and urges everyone to some see it.
“It has a little something for everyone,” said Stowe.