How a Show Comes to Life at WVPAC
Behind the Scenes of Alice by Heart
At the West Valley Performing Arts Center, every production is a labor of love—and Alice by Heart is no exception. From the first creative spark to opening night, it takes months of planning, collaboration, and passion to bring a story to life on stage. And when that story blends fantasy, history, and contemporary music, the journey becomes even more remarkable.
“It’s called Alice by Heart because it is Alice in Wonderland adjacent,” explains Vanessa Olson, Managing Director and Executive Producer. “It incorporates the story of Alice in Wonderland into another young girl's story that is really about resilience, growing up, and being put in situations where we need to find grit and find reasons to go on.” The result is a story that is imaginative and whimsical, yet grounded in deep emotional truth.
Director Brooklyn Kohler adds, “The musical itself is based in 1941 in the London Tube during the Blitz. So, we’ve got a war-torn country aspect happening while we’ve got contemporary music, and then the Wonderland-adjacent aspect is a sort of escapism—not to avoid what’s happening, but to embrace it and find moments of joy.”
One of the most creative elements of this production is the use of “found items” from the underground bunker to create Wonderland. With crates, blankets, gas masks, and other wartime remnants, the characters invent a fantastical world from the pieces of their reality. This approach speaks not just to the imaginative nature of the show, but also to the resilience at its core.
That attention to authenticity extends to the costume design as well. “I looked at a bunch of photos, actually, from that time during the Blitz of people sheltering [in the tube station],” says Tabitha Sublette, Costume Designer. “Because it was really great to see the actual people living there and what they would have had on hand.” This research helped ground the characters in history, while still allowing room for transformation into the whimsical figures of Wonderland.
As rehearsals begin, performers from across Utah bring their voices, movement, and heart to the process. “The music of the show is mostly pop/rock, with a bit of other influences,” says Music Director Ginger Bess. “It’s definitely more contemporary. There’s a little bit of everything in there.” The dynamic score offers plenty of emotional and stylistic range for the cast to explore.
“I just listen to the music over and over,” says Choreographer Emily Henwood, “because I love to work closely with the music and let that really inform my choreography decisions.” This intuitive approach results in movement that is organic, expressive, and deeply tied to the emotional pulse of the show.
Meanwhile, designers and technicians work behind the scenes to blend the gritty reality of war with the dreamlike possibilities of Wonderland. Tech week brings all the elements together—lighting, sound, costumes, sets—refining every detail for a seamless opening.
Opening night marks the culmination of months of dedication, creativity, and collaboration. Alice by Heart is more than just a production—it’s an experience that invites us to imagine, reflect, and connect. It’s a story about finding light in dark places, and about the power of storytelling to heal, inspire, and transform.
We invite you to take that journey with us. Come see Alice by Heart and discover what happens when imagination meets heart onstage.
In Alice by Heart, imagination turns gas masks into crowns and bunkers into enchanted forests. At West Valley Performing Arts Center, we believe in that same power—theatre that transforms, transports, and touches hearts.
But even Wonderland needs support.
As we bring bold, beautiful stories to life and provide theatre education to children, teens, and adults across Utah, we’re facing real-world challenges that threaten the magic: rising costs, reduced funding, and an uncertain economy. That’s where you come in.
Your donation helps us continue producing meaningful theatre, offering accessible ticket prices, and nurturing the next generation of performers, creators, and dreamers.
Whether it’s $25 or $2,500, your gift is a golden key that helps us unlock imagination, community, and joy.
So don your best Mad Hatter hat, gather your inner White Rabbit, and...
DONATE NOW — before the curtain falls.
Because Wonderland is only possible with you.