2 Years to the Date, Live Theatre Returns to Harrisonburg
Since 1960, Valley Playhouse has provided live entertainment to the city of Harrisonburg. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, brought their nearly 60-year streak of plays and other theatre performances to a screeching halt. Live performances at Court Square Theatre, the Valley Playhouse’s outlet for in-person entertainment in Harrisonburg, were discontinued for an indefinite amount of time due to the effects of COVID-19. On Oct. 23, two years to the date of their last live performance, Court Square Theatre was able to present the city of Harrisonburg with a community performance of Alice in Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland is a well known literary work popularized by Broadway productions and various media adaptations, especially Tim Burton’s 2010 film adaptation which starred Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway. It is a family favorite which was evident by the considerable number of children in attendance with their parents and grandparents. With all of Alice’s kooky interactions with talking animals and the fantasy world she is trapped in, it is no wonder children’s imaginations are captivated by such an eccentric story.
The performers and crew of the production spent two months vigorously preparing for their public presentation of the play, and their hard work was undeniably evident. Among all of the inhabitants of Wonderland, including the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit, the most prominent roles belonged to Alice and the Narrator. Alice was played by Jandilee Ramos Richards, who delivered a strong performance throughout the entirety of the play. Jandilee Richards is an eighth grader who has previous experience performing in Court Square Theatre productions playing Roxie in Annie. Michael G. Richards, an older gentleman, took on the role of the Narrator and his performance truly helped maintain the continuity of the plot displayed by each of the characters. Michael Richards has also participated in previous works at Court Square Theatre, playing Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a production of Annie. Despite the age differences across the cast, all the performers meshed well and truly put on a solid performance with no individual trying to steal the spotlight.
After two years of theatrical absence, Harrisonburg residents were able to indulge in one of the most beloved forms of entertainment among the community. Buttered popcorn, hearty laughs, and a temporary escape from life’s stressful obligations were shared in the safe space of the theatre. If current COVID-19 trends continue, these performances are something that will continue to be shared for the foreseeable future.
