Lemont Teacher Brings Fairy Tale Magic to New Youth Musical

Two weeks of rehearsals, a Lemont woman’s passion for the performing arts and an enthusiastic group of  young people will bring a confused Alice, Humpty Dumpty, the Dixie Chickens and other oddball characters to the stage at 7 p.m. Friday for a one-night musical show at Christ Community Church, 13400 Bell Rd.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Lemont Center for the Arts. Tickets are nominally priced ($2 for adults, $1 for children) “to get as many people as can to come out to support children, arts and the performing arts center,” said Jenna Treanor, producer and director.

“Wonderland!” is a silly adaptation of Lewis Carroll's “Through the Looking Glass” with added characters, and singing and dancing.

This is Treanor’s second such show.  The first was a dramatic musical
based on the Little Red Riding Hood story.

“I had a cast of seven—six girls and one boy. That boy stayed with me for singing and piano lessons, and is assistant director of ‘Wonderland,’ ” Treanor said.

Kevin Zorena is now 18 and studying music education at Concordia College.

During a recent rehearsal, he led Humpty Dumpty in a country line dance with a flock of Dixie Chickens in the background.

Treanor taught 5th grade at Hollywood School in the Riverside-Brookfield district.

“I strongly believe in a sensory type of learning. I made up plays and musicals about the Civil War, the transcontinental railroad,” she said.

Besides learning a subject, the students gained stage presence and experience in public speaking, Treanor said.

“It’s hard to remember a social studies lesson by just reading a book. Music and drama is another way to learn in the classroom,” Treanor said.

“It’s like riding a bike.  When you learn things through music, you don’t forget.”

Treanor said she also thinks it is important “for children to have a sense of purpose [for their learning] and to share with the community.” Her vocal and piano students would give recitals at Franciscan Village, she said.

Treanor hopes her contact with the Lemont Arts Center will encourage the center to expand from mostly visual arts to performing arts.

“I’m hoping to do a class in improv and short-scene acting 101 that lends itself to a smaller stage.”

Tickets for Friday's show can be purchased at the door or from Treanor at Jenn.treanor@gmail.com.