Tea with mad hatters shouldn't be expected to be a typical party, and Lighthouse Preparatory Academy is inviting guests looking for a family-friendly weekend experience to take the journey down the rabbit hole into a wonderland of colorful characters.
Lighthouse will present its "Christmas in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party" at three different times Saturday: 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Co-director Mary Alexander said Monday the 1 p.m. show was already sold out, but those interested in making reservations can call the school at 573-645-5253. Any available tickets will be sold up until performances start.
Tickets cost $10 per person for the shows at Lighthouse at 216 El Mercado Plaza.
Alexander said the show will not just be sitting and watching performers for two hours. This tea party particularly aimed at the 3- to 10-year-old crowd will feature croquet with flamingos, a cupcake walk, performed excerpts from "Alice in Wonderland" and a light lunch.
"We have a couple fine arts events every year," Alexander said of Lighthouse.
The school did "Mad Hatter" in 2015, too. The show has been brought back by popular demand, though "we always change it up a little bit" with new music and choreography to create "a new experience for people who come both times," she said.
Children can come dressed up as any Disney character for a photo opportunity.
She said Lighthouse encourages its students to give back to the community in some way, and 45 students are involved with Saturday's performances - about 30 as actors, and the rest as backstage crew or helpers with games.
The students have been working on the show about eight weeks. Alexander and Timothy Bommel are co-directors, and Cara Alexander is the choreographer.