By Kenneth Jones
09 Nov 2009

The concept recording of Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure, the new Frank Wildhorn-Jack Murphy musical now in rehearsal for a Florida world premiere, is now available.

The first project of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Broadway Genesis Project, Wonderland features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War), lyrics by Jack Murphy (The Civil War) and a book by Murphy and Gregory Boyd.

The production, which begins Nov. 24 in Florida, is directed by Boyd, the artistic director of the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX.

The concept album contains 15 tracks featuring original cast members Janet Dacal, Jose Llana, Karen Mason, Darren Ritchie and Nikki Snelson among others. Tunes on the CD include "Worst Day of My Life," "Once More I Can See" and "Finding Wonderland," sung by Dacal, who plays Alice; "One Knight," sung by Ritchie; and "Off With Their Heads," sung by Mason.

The recording also contains a bonus track of the original demo of "Go With the Flow," sung by Rob Evan.

"These concept recordings have always been a wonderful way to share the music with our fans," Wildhorn said in a statement. "We always believe, as great as it is to come out of the theatre humming a melody or two, it's always better to go into the theatre humming a melody or two!"

Prior to its Broadway life, Wildhorn's Jekyll & Hyde was heard on a concept album.

Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure will play TBPAC's Ferguson Hall Dec. 5, 2009, to Jan. 3, 2010, with preview performances scheduled Nov. 24 through Dec. 4.

Following the Tampa run, Wonderland will play a limited engagement at the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX, beginning Jan. 15, 2010.

To hear samples from the CD, or to purchase the concept recording of Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure, log on to www.wonderlandthemusical.org.

The recording may also be purchased at all TBPAC gift shops or by calling (813) 222-1029.

*

Karen Mason, Janet Dacal, Darren Ritchie, Jose Llana and more will bring the new Lewis Carroll-inspired musical to life in Florida. The show is inspired by Lewis Carroll's 19th-century fantasy fiction for kids.

The principal cast will include Julie Brooks (Fiddler on the Roof national tour) as Chloe, Janet Dacal (In the Heights, Good Vibrations) as Alice, Eugene Fleming (Fosse) as the Caterpillar, Jose Llana (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as El Gato, Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!) as the Queen of Hearts, Darren Ritchie (Dracula: The Musical) as Jack/White Knight, Nikki Snelson (Legally Blonde) as the Mad Hatter and Ed Staudenmayer (Forbidden Broadway) as the Rabbit.

The ensemble includes Tad Wilson, who will also take on the featured role of the Jabberwock, along with Grady Bowman, Sae La Chin, Dan Domenech, Mallauri Esquibel, Lori Eure, Derek Ferguson, Wilkie Ferguson, Ashley Galvan, Laura Karklina, Autumn Hurlburt, Rachel Markarian, Mary Mossberg, Julius Anthony Rubio, Melinda Sullivan, Chelsea Traille and Danny Stiles.

*

Producer Judith Lisi is president and CEO of TBPAC. Wonderland's creative team includes choreographer Marguerite Derricks (of the new "Fame" feature film), music supervisor and vocal and dance arranger Ron Melrose (Jersey Boys), who will also provide incidental music.

Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, Drama Desk nominee Neil Patel and Tony nominee Paul Gallo will design the costumes, sets and lights, respectively, and Jon Weston will design the sound. Sven Ortel will design video and projections.

Tony nominee Wildhorn is the composer of The Civil War, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde and the upcoming Bonnie & Clyde and Havana, among other projects. Murphy shares a Best Score Tony nomination with Wildhorn for The Civil War. Boyd wrote the book to The Civil War and is artistic director of Houston's Alley Theatre, where Wonderland will play an engagement beginning Jan. 15, 2009. For more information, visit www.alleytheatre.org.

According to production notes, "With a chaotic Wonderland in danger of disappearing into nothingness, only a modern-day Alice can restore balance and joy. Journey with her from NYC to a strange-yet-familiar place where she must reclaim her daughter and defeat the Queen of Hearts. In this world premiere of a new musical…you'll crash through the Looking-Glass to an enchanting Wonderland filled with fantastic characters and astonishing visions. Wildhorn's score taps into numerous pop styles, and Murphy's lyrics provide both wit and wisdom as Alice learns to follow her heart."

*

For more information about the subsequent Texas run, visit www.alleytheatre.org.