‘Alice by Heart’ Comes to Decatur’s Alabama Center for the Arts

What if Alice in Wonderland became a story about finding hope in the midst of hardship? Alice by Heart reimagines Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic during the London Blitz, following Alice and her best friend Alfred as they use imagination, music, and storytelling to navigate fear, loss, and the uncertainty of war.

Director Caroline Duncan says the musical’s themes of joy, grief, love, and resilience feel especially relevant today, offering audiences a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, people continue to find connection and hope. Featuring a cast of local performers and an original score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, the production brings a fresh and emotional perspective to a familiar story.

In this episode, Morning Blend host Mike Keeley speaks with director Caroline Duncan, music director Danika Richardson, and cast members Aria Brown and Drayton Walker about bringing Alice by Heart to the stage. The conversation also features a performance of “Still,” one of the musical’s standout songs, along with details about the July 16–19 production at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur.