Directed by Gregory Boyd — the artistic director of the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX — the new musical will officially open on Broadway April 17, 2011.
Wonderland features a book by Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy, lyrics by Murphy and music by Frank Wildhorn. Marguerite Derricks is the choreographer.
In a statement composer Wildhorn said, "I am at a point in my life where I want to stay in love with the things I fell in love with. The process of creating Wonderland with my extraordinary producers and collaborators has shown me the magic of fun is not just for the young. Being part of the Straz Center's invaluable Broadway Genesis Project was an exciting and rewarding experience."
Wonderland, according to press notes, is a "story about a new Alice who has lost her joy in life. Estranged from her husband, alienated from her daughter and in danger of losing her career, Alice finds herself in Wonderland where she encounters strange though familiar characters that help her rediscover the wonder in her life while searching for her daughter."
The new musical is the first production of the Broadway Genesis Project, an initiative by the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to "develop and prepare new musical theater for Broadway. From a show’s inception to final staging, the Project provides a safe and nourishing environment in a state-of-the-art complex with artistic, technical and administrative resources." Wonderland made its world premiere at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, FL, this past December. In association with the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX, in January 2010, the show transferred for further development, becoming one of the highest-grossing shows in that theatre's history.
Wonderland will be produced on Broadway by the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Judy Lisi, President and CEO), William Franzblau and Nederlander Presentations, Inc.
The cast, design team and Broadway ticket information will be announced at a later time. A Wonderland concept CD is available through iTunes from Sony Masterworks.
Tickets for the Florida run may be purchased by calling (813) 229-7827 or (800) 955-1045 or by visiting www.strazcenter.org.
For more information visit www.WonderlandOnBroadway.com.
