Dixon Community Theater’s production of “Alice’s Wonderland” will premiere at 6:30 p.m. June 13. The full cast made their first public appearance in costume at the Dixon May Fair Parade on May 10. Photo courtesy of Dixon Community Theater

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon Community Theater’s production of “Alice’s Wonderland “will premiere at 6:30 p.m. June 13. Hosted at Dixon Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way, the musical will be an original production co-written by Kelly Pidgeon James and Cheryl Sommers.

Alice’s Wonderland” will be the first time that James will direct a Dixon Community Theater production.

“I’ve learned a great deal, especially from people like Gary Erwin, who is just phenomenal. Kyle Jackson too; he is an amazing composer and wrote the accompaniments; I wrote the melodies. Jean Henderson as well. She has a theater named after her in Davis; she does amazing costumes and was part of the original Dixon Community Theater for 60 years,” said James.

The organization’s library meet-and-greet on May 16 allowed Dixon children to meet the cast and take pictures. Cody Pidgeon James, who plays Will, Thistle and a heart card read aloud at the event. Photo courtesy of Dixon Community Theater

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the original iteration of the Dixon Community Theater went dormant. During this time, many key members either aged out or moved away. When the organization was reinstated in 2024, both James and Sommers joined. Sommers is the co-writer and producer of “Alice’s Wonderland” and also president of Dixon Community Theater. James plays the Queen of Diamonds, a character she describes as a diva. According to Sommers, she and James wanted to do something unique.

“We knew we wanted an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme but didn’t want to do “Alice in Wonderland;” it’s overdone. We wanted to change it up, which meant new characters. That's why the story focuses on Alice’s granddaughter,” said Sommers.

The musical has a cast of 24 performers, with an even split of about 12 adults and 12 youth. Maya Clossick, an eighth-grader at Ralph Waldo Emerson Junior High School, is one of the eight child performers. Clossick is playing Alice, the main character.

“Alice is a child dream role, and I’m really excited and honored to have gotten it. I have a personal connection to Alice because she’s a teenager and I’m a teenager. I’m just really excited to support the theater and continue to help them as they go on their journey to further establish themselves. I get to work with so many talented people too; it’s a great cast,” said Clossick.

Clossick has been performing since she was 7 years old. Her mother, Jenn Clossick, is also performing in the musical as the character Lorina.

“Maya and I have had the opportunity to perform together multiple times and this will be our fourth time in a production. From an audience perspective, the show has a great mix of kids and adults, which adds depth. The way Kelly has integrated the kids’ roles in real-life 1918 and Wonderland has been wonderful. They get to embody characters with substance and interest,” said Jenn Clossick.

The cast of “Alice’s Wonderland” went on a press tour, hosting a coloring contest, a Dixon Chamber of Commerce mixer and a meet-and-greet series at The Good Scoop Ice Cream, Dixon Library and Joystick Gaming Lounge. At the chamber mixer May 28, Angi Wolf, portraying the Queen of Hearts, performed her character’s signature piece, “The Queen of Hearts.” Photo courtesy of Dixon Community Theater

The Clossicks are not the only familial duo participating in the production. Angi Wolf has played in the same band, Over the Edge, for 15 years. During this time, Wolf was pregnant with both of her sons, Christian and Isaac Espinosa. According to Wolf, her sons inherited her love of music and performing.

“My son, Christian, is in the production as well, and he is playing the Jack of Hearts. I love working with my son. This is our third time being in a show together, and I haven’t seen him in a show for years, so it’s great to watch him continue growing as a singer and performer,” said Wolf.

Wolf’s other son, Issac, is not an actor but a self-taught musician and enjoys helping his mother and his brother practice lines.

“Alice’s Wonderland” will have six showings across two weekends, from June 13 to 15 and June 20 to 22. Friday and Saturday showtimes are at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday showtimes are at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available for $12 per adult and $10 for children and seniors.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit dixoncommunitytheater.com or call 707-903-8387.