This Friday, those who visit the Tin Shop Theatre will have the chance to peer into a world where talking unicorns, sassy flowers and an evil queen come to life in the production of “Alice Through the Looking Glass.”

The production, which stars 18 local young actors, debuts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Other show times include 4 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28, and 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

Director Kelly Carlin said the production is sure to appeal to those with a sense of whimsy.

The screenplay was originally written by Linda Woolverton and intended to be a sequel to “Alice in Wonderland.”  Throughout the play, Alice, played by Sarah Bianchi, 17, falls through a mirror into a fantasy world. Bianchi joins the other actors in singing, dancing and interacting with a number of unique characters who help her to find her path through the strange world.

“It is a neat show,” Carlin said. “There is a lot of wackiness and craziness that happens between the [scenes].”

The message of the play, she said, emphasizes the importance of imagination, a tool that both the actors and directors employed to make the production its best.

Carlin and musical director Trever Hough made some tweaks to the production’s music, giving it a signature style. Some of those changes included using rap verse for one of the songs.

Carlin also encouraged the actors to give the characters their own personal flair.

For Bianchi, playing one of the lead roles as Alice was a chance to do precisely this.

“It’s a real challenge, because I have to play a 12-year-old,” Bianchi said.

To capture the childlike spirit of Alice, Bianchi said she tries to embody that innocence and curiosity that the character is known for.

For Bianchi, acting in the play was just another chance to support her passion for the theater. Bianchi said she has acted since she was a young child and enjoyed being involved in everything from the nativity plays at church to school productions at Buchanan High School. She said she enjoys acting at the Tin Shop because it feels like a more serious acting gig, where she has the opportunity to learn to perfect the craft. 

It is a testament to the experience at the Tin Shop that many youth return year after year.

Catherine Lietz, 15, who plays the White Queen, has been involved with the Tin Shop Theatre since 2009, when she had the opportunity to play a “yellow flower” in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Since then, Lietz said she has learned a lot about acting, including how to better articulate emotions on stage. She said she enjoyed acting at the Tin Shop so much that her sister, Claire, was also inspired to participate. Claire, 13, will be playing the role opposite her sister as the Red Queen.

Fellow actor Max Carrigan, 18, is playing the Red King. He said what he most enjoys about the role is getting to be himself.  Much like the character, Carrigan said he can be silly and at times kooky.    

While Carrigan has participated in plays at Buchanan High School, this is his first role in a Tin Shop production.

The actors participating in the play have spent the past four weeks rehearsing and working on the play. Carlin encouraged the community to support the youths’ hard work and check out the production.

“It is neat seeing them bring the show alive,” Carlin said. “I think both adults and young people will like the show and the music. The kids are amazing. It is just fun and a good family show that will tug a little at your heartstrings.”