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The goings-on beneath the white-rabbit hole at Lambs Players Theatre are as wildly whimsical as they are proudly nonsensical. In Alice, a musical adaptation of Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, incongruity is 90 percent of the fun. While the sharpness of Carrolls satirical sword may be missing from Elizabeth Swados 1980 creation for the stage, the fantastical elements and ingenious characters he created are delightfully intact.

This Alice is a relatively obscure work, best remembered perhaps for an early-80s production that starred Meryl Streep (yes, Meryl Streep) as childrens literatures most famous heroine. Its a strictly ensemble piece with all its actors, save the person playing Alice, filling multiple roles. Its musical score is all over the place, from Calypso to doo-wop, from pop-rock to shades of country, from a capella to the kind of jaunty group sings reminiscent of Godspell. At Lambs, by the way, a five-piece band led by Ian Brandon handles these divergent idioms with aplomb.

Familiarity with Carrolls books is helpful, but only an appreciation for the unpredictable and a resistance to the need for explanation are required. Alice is all about the denizens of Wonderland that Alice (Megan Carmitchel) encounters underground. The strength of the Lambs production, directed and choreographed by Deborah Gilmour Smyth, is in those portrayals: Eileen Bowman as the Queen of Hearts and Humpty Dumpty; Geno Carr as Bill the Lizard, the Mock Turtle and a sobbing baby; Brian Mackey as the Mad Hatter; William BJ Robinson as the Cheshire Cat; Angela Chatelain Avila as the White Rabbit.

Also in the sprightly cast are Nancy Snow Carr, Caitie Grady, Jacob Caltrider, Erika Osuna and Fernando Vega, all of them returnees to the Lambs stage.

The first act basically mirrors Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland, the second act the somewhat darker Through the Looking Glass. The set and projections by Michael McKeon are evocative of the storybooks, the costuming by Jemima Dutra more subtle than you might expect for an Alice production.

A definite highlight is Alices duel with the jabberwocky in Act Two, an impressive feat of onstage magic. Less dramatic but entertaining in its own right is the staging of the Mad Hatters tea party, with the cup and saucer settings strapped to the backs of actors who hunch over to serve as tables.

To some degree, theres an anything-goes approach to the festivities that jibes with the bizarro nature of Wonderland, yet it can be wearying, especially when certain sequences (the Mock Turtle/Gryphon bit for one) overstay their welcomes. It helps to remember that one mini-adventure will be followed by another, and another, until the windup when we learn, alas, that it was all a dream.

The It was all a dream explanation of childhood fantasies (see The Wizard of Oz too) is disappointing when you invest yourself in a completely other world. Its gratifying, however, that in Alice our heroine in the puff-sleeved dress seems to cling to her imagination and its occupants even after shes awakened by her mother.

Maybe Wonderland is a real place after all.

When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through April 12.

Where: Lambs Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado

Tickets: $28-$82

Phone: (619) 437-6300

Online: lambsplayers.org

Coddon is a freelance writer.

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Review: In 'Alice,' the fantastical characters of Wonderland come alive - The San Diego Union-Tribune

SANDWICHES, cakes, tea and coffee will all be on offer in Bromsgrove at an event celebrating Nutrition and Hydration Week.

Care Force Ltd is putting on the free Afternoon Tea as part of the scheme which has taken place every March since 2012.

The drive is aimed at highlighting and educating people on the important role food and drink plays in maintaining health and wellbeing in health and social care.

Organisations from around the world and from all areas of health and social care are encouraged to take part with the global tea party being the highlight of the week.

Entry to the event is free but donations are requested for Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, Care Forces nominated charity for 2020.

There will also be a fund-raising raffle with prizes donated by local businesses including Avoncroft Museum, Morrisons and Broad Street DIY.

Care Force operations direction John Hollingsworth said the company was proud to support the global movement.

We hope our tea party will provide an opportunity to bring people together from the local community for an enjoyable afternoon.

Places at the event, which runs at Amphlett Hall from 2.30pm to 4pm on March 19, are limited.

Call Care Force on 01527 577247 or email enquiries@care-force.co.uk to reserve places.

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A slice of good advice from Bromsgrove's Care Force for Nutrition and Hydration Week - Bromsgrove Standard

The 116th Congress also demonstrated that political influence outside of Washington does not always translate into legislative victories, as progressives are promising.

Without question Ms. Ocasio-Cortezs influence on the Democratic Party also is striking in modern politics for a freshman House member. In her first few months in office she got normally skittish Democrats and some early presidential candidates to sign on to her Green New Deal (introduced with Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts), forced a national conversation about marginal tax rates and Medicare for All, helped tank a plan for Amazon to move to Queens, and catalyzed a vast rejection of corporate PAC money for incumbents who had just a year ago eschewed that plan as impractical at best, unilateral disarmament at worst.

But here was the reality for progressives: Medicare for All got little more than a hearing or two, while the House passed bill after bill pressing more incremental health care changes (but none of which the Republican-controlled Senate would even entertain). The Green New Deal had a messy if high-profile roll out, then fizzled. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez did not have even the modest legislative victories enjoyed by other freshman Democrats like Joseph Neguse of Colorado, Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Lauren Underwood of Illinois, who ran on getting health care bills on the floor.

What is more, many Democrats began to fret early on that the far left was going to do to them what the Tea Party had done to Republicans a few years back: Run them out of town, one primary at a time. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez previously suggested that Democrats who were not sufficiently loyal to an emergent brand of progressive politics should have others like her run against them in a primary. She is now suggesting that, exit polling be damned, Mr. Bidens latest string of successes is because of the strong-arming of corporate lobbyists, something Mr. Sanders has underscored by repeatedly calling Mr. Biden the establishment candidate.

But the results speak for themselves. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez threw her weight behind Cristina Tzintzn Ramirez in her Senate primary campaign in Texas to defeat the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committees chosen candidate, M.J. Hegar. Ms. Hegar ended up easily outpacing a crowded Democratic field.

There are some people who one dont really seem to understand the math of the majority making, said Representative Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, a former intelligence officer, whose Richmond-area district had been held by Republicans for decades. Theres some people that just think that were out of touch and that if we just worked hard, more Democrats would come out of the woodwork, and so we should just try to say all the things that excite all the Democrats. You can say that until youre blue in the face, but there are just not that many Democrats in my district.

Jennifer Steinhauer, a political reporter for The Times, is the author of the forthcoming The Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here's our email: letters@nytimes.com.

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Why Democrats Are Still Not the Party of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - The New York Times

On Saturday, April 4, the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Chamber of Commerce Spring Tea and Brunch.

The idea behind the Spring Tea and Brunch is two-fold. In part, its a fundraiser. Historically, the Chambers biggest fundraiser is the Golf Classic held in September. The tournament is open to anyone, but it mainly draws participation from Mint Hills male community leaders. The Chamber began to think about a way they could raise additional funding to augment the Chambers offerings while also putting a spotlight on the positive role women play in both the Chamber and the Mint Hill community.

The Spring Tea and Brunch is a day to celebrate the positive role of women in both local businesses and the community of Mint Hill, says Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paige McKinney. Proceeds from the event will assist the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce in expanding events and opportunities for community members.

Last years spring tea at Arlington Baptist church was a wildly successful, sold-out event. This years Spring Tea and Brunch Committee composed of Denise Boston, Sandy Harrison, Amy Laughinghouse, Jennifer Manchester, Paige McKinney, and Kim Rhodarmer has laid the groundwork for this years event to be bigger and better, featuring more tables as well as more raffle and silent auction items.

This years Spring Tea and Brunch will take place at Philadelphia Presbyterian church, allowing the chamber to offer twenty-five table sponsorships, ten more than last year. Each table seats eight and may be secured for $320. Table sponsorship is open to anyone: local businesses, clubs, and organizations, groups from schools or neighborhoods, or even just eight girlfriends who want to enjoy a morning out together! Sponsors decorate their table in a style of their choosing advertising their business, choosing a unique theme or simply utilizing seasonal spring decor. Last years tables featured everything from a Mad Hatter Tea Party and Mint Hill in Bloom to Disney World and Chick-fil-A.

The table sponsorship fee includes hot and cold tea, appetizers, a main entree, and dessert for all eight women seated at the table. The Chamber is grateful to have Mint Hill Roasting Company, Chick-Fil-A Albemarle Road, Fresh Chef Kitchen, and Daphnes Bakery returning as sponsors who will provide hot and cold tea, appetizers and dessert. The Chamber is also pleased to welcome back Atrium Health, who is returning as the events presenting sponsor.

Last years spring tea was wildly successful, and this year we expect an even bigger turnout, says Jennifer Manchester of Suburban Properties of Charlotte. Our sponsor, Atrium Health secured this years sponsorship at last years event due to its popularity. So far we have pre-sold about half the tables and expect a sell-out.

This is a showcase for ladies who enjoy the aesthetics of beautifully crafted table settings and expressing their own creativity, says Servants Heart Founder and Executive Director Kim Rhodarmer. Laugh with friends. Enjoy a three-course menu from resident eateries. Grow the Chambers support of local businesses in our town. You wont be disappointed.

All of the money raised from the Spring Tea and Brunch goes to fund Chamber events and further their ability to do more in the community, like their Shop Small and Living Local campaigns. Funds raised from the Spring Tea and Brunch also support the Chambers college scholarship fund.

For those who would like to support the Spring Tea and Brunch, the Chamber is continuing to collect raffle and auction items. They welcome donations of products or gift cards from local businesses.

The Spring Tea and Brunch will take place on April 4 from 10:00 am 1:00 pm at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. For additional information, to reserve a table, to donate a raffle or silent auction item, or to secure a sponsorship, call (704)-573-8282 or email paige@minthillchamberofcommerce.com. Table selections are secured upon payment.

We know its going to be a sell-out event, says McKinney. Secure your table quickly if you want to participate!

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Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce to host second annual Spring Tea and Brunch - Mint Hill Times

After throwing all her weight behind the socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) confirmed this week that she will support former Vice President Joe Biden if he were the Democratic Partys nominee.

Speaking with late-night comedian Seth Meyers on his show Thursday, the congresswoman stated that she thinks its important that Democrats unite in November regardless of who gets the nomination, even if that nomination goes to a 77-year-old white man who was hand-picked by the establishment and who accepts money from Americas billionaire class.

Ive said throughout this entire process that what is so important is that we ultimately unite behind who that Democratic nominee is, Ocasio-Cortez said on the show, as reported by HuffPost.

The congresswoman added that she believes this to be a two-way street and denounced both sides who said they would not support the other if they were the nominee.

And I think its a two-way street, she said. Ive been concerned by some folks that say if Bernies the nominee, they wont support him, and the other way around. This is more important than all of us. We really need to make sure that we defeat Donald Trump at the polls, assuming, and knowing, how insane its going to get between now and then.

The socialist congresswomans statement regarding the potential nominee is markedly different than what she said in January when she scolded the Democratic Party establishment from catering to conservative interests and supporting moderates over true-believers.

For so long, when I first got in, people were like, Oh, are you going to basically be a tea party of the left? And what people dont realize is that thereis a tea party of the left, but its on the right edges, the most conservative parts of the Democratic Party. So the Democratic Party has a role to play in this problem, and its like were not allowed to talk about it. Were not allowed to talk about anything wrong the Democratic Party does, she told NY Mag. I think I have created more room for dissent, and were learning to stretch our wings a little bit on the left.

Democrats can be too big of a tent, she later added. In any other country, Joe Biden and I would not be in the same party, but in America, we are.

Bernie Sanders alsopledged on Thursday that he would support Joe Biden if he were the nominee.

Joe Biden is a decent guy, and I know if he wins the nomination, I will be there for him, he said.And if I win, he will be there for me.

So, essentially, the two socialists who claim to stand up for working-class Americans and who denounce political corruption are now ready to support a man whose son earned $50,000 a month working for a Ukrainian energy company possibly because of Joe Bidens status as Vice President.

President Trump has capitalized on the two-faced nature of the Bernie Sanders campaign by characterizing him as a man who talks a big game but ultimately becomes a good puppy when the party leaders want him to be. That was true with Hillary Clinton in 2016 (sick of hearing about your damn emails) and is true in 2020.

I was surprised, when Bernie got beaten up last time, that he went out and endorsed Hillary and went around and did like a good puppy, like hes supposed to do, Trump told Sean Hannity this week. I was a little surprised at that.

And, even this time, he was saying about how wonderful Joe Bidens a wonderful guy, wonderful man, Trump concluded. And Im a little bit surprised by its almost like hes I dont know if hes admitting defeat. He might be. But I watched him yesterday saying or just a little while ago, saying very good things about sleepy Joe Biden. And I was a little bit surprised.

Aside from Sanders losing, Occasio-Cortez also had a rough night on Super Tuesday when the candidates she backed all failed to deliver.

Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) may have been the biggest loser on Super Tuesday as all of the candidates that she backed, including socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), did not live up to her hype of them, reported The Daily Wires Ryan Saavedra this week. Ocasio-Cortez recently started her own far-left group called Courage to Change to take on establishment Democrats, and none of the candidates she backed ended up performing very well.

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Hard-Core Bernie Supporter AOC: I Will Back Biden If He Is The Nominee - The Daily Wire