As she did in two earlier engagements of the pop-flavored show (in Tampa in late 2009 and Houston in early 2010), Janet Dacal of In the Heights plays modern mom Alice. The show's full title is Wonderland. A New Alice. A New Musical.
The musical begins Broadway previews March 21, and will officially open April 17, at the Marquis Theatre. Wonderland's Sunshine State run is at Ferguson Hall at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Judy Lisi, president and CEO) in Tampa. The Straz Center is one of the producers of the show.
Since the earlier 2009-10 Straz Center world premiere of Wonderland, four new songs have been added, and the libretto has been "vastly revised," according to the producers.
The musical that reinvents "Alice in Wonderland" is directed by Gregory Boyd, with a book by Boyd and Jack Murphy, lyrics by Jack Murphy, music by Frank Wildhorn and choreography by Marguerite Derricks.
Here's how the show is billed: "A new spin on the classic story of Alice and her Looking-Glass world, Wonderland is about a modern-day woman who goes on a life-changing adventure far below the streets of New York City, where a colorful cast of strange but familiar characters help her rediscover what's really important. Featuring a fresh, contemporary pop score from the creator of Jekyll and Hyde, Wonderland arrives on Broadway this spring following two sold-out national stage premieres." Tickets for the Broadway run are available at Ticketmaster.com or by phoning (877) 250-2929. Tickets for the Tampa engagement are available by phoning (800) 955-1045 or by visiting Strazcenter.
The cast also includes E. Clayton Cornelious as the Caterpillar; Carly Rose Sonenclar (Les Miserables, Little House on the Prairie) as Chloe, Alice's daughter; Darren Ritchie (Little Shop of Horrors, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as the White Knight; Jose Llana (Spelling Bee, Flower Drum Song) as El Gato; Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia!) as the Queen of Hearts; Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Jekyll and Hyde) as the Mad Hatter; Edward Staudenmayer (Spamalot, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me) as the White Rabbit; and Danny Stiles (regional productions of Guys and Dolls and Sister Act: The Musical) as Morris.
The complete ensemble includes April Berry, Sae La Chin, Dan Domenech, Mallauri Esquibel, Derek Ferguson, Wilkie Ferguson, Laura Hall, Natalie Hill, Lauren Lim Jackson, Morgan James, Ryan Link, Kate Loprest, Renee Marino, Heather Parcells, Stefan Raulston, Julius Anthony Rubio and Tanairi Vasquez.
The design team comprises Neil Patel (set), Susan Hilferty (costume), Paul Gallo (lighting) and Sven Ortel (video and projection).
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.
Visit WonderlandOnBroadway.
