Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas contains a forged of two dozen youngsters and a few adults. This manufacturing is an instance of superb high quality youth theatrics. Kids will likely be enchanted by the brilliant outfits, lively dance numbers, and amusing characters, although the flamboyant language is perhaps misplaced on the littles.
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, initially written by Lewis Carroll, is customized to Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas for Artistic Cauldron by Lenny Mendez. The present, directed by Artistic Cauldron founder Laura Connors Hull and playwright/ actor Lenny Mendez, contains music by in-house composer Matt Conner and lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith.
Studying Theater Ensemble in ‘Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas.’ Picture by William T. Gallagher Images.
If you happen to love the unique e book model of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, you’ll take pleasure in this manufacturing. Nice swaths of the e book’s dialogue are included, in Lewis Carroll’s authentic phrasing, with Spanish added. (My Spanish isn’t ok for me to confirm the general accuracy, however what I understood of it appeared to agree with the story.) In case your solely expertise is with the Disney animated movie from 1951, bear in mind that the present, whereas utilizing the identical supply materials, is considerably in contrast to the Disney model. If you happen to don’t know the story in any respect, you could be fairly confused. It’s compressed, so every entertainingly staged scene appears episodic, with solely the tiniest hints at sequential order, and doesn’t construct from one episode to the subsequent, which means it lacks a dramatic arc. That is amplified by the inclusion of scenes from Via the Wanting Glass and What Alice Discovered There (the Backyard of Reside Flowers and Tweedledum & Tweedledee), which haven’t any connection to the occasions in Wonderland. The Adventures are enclosed by bookend vignettes that includes Alice and her older sister on the present’s outset and shutting.
Choices of dialogue are delivered or repeated in Spanish, however the script is especially in English. In accordance with the playwright, the unique Alice books are so filled with puns that translation was difficult as a result of language-based humor is tougher to adapt than concept-based humor. The wordplay is a component that Disney ignored fully, which I’ve at all times felt was a disgrace, however Disney had its target market, and language nerds weren’t it. I’m happy to see a present that features the Hispanic and Latinex group, who characterize a good portion of the DC and Virginia inhabitants.
Alice is introduced by The Studying Theater, half academic program and half efficiency ensemble. The performers have, for probably the most half, been cultivated by the academic outreach of Artistic Cauldron, which incorporates workshops, courses, and summer season camps, all designed to nurture love and expression of efficiency arts in folks of all ages. Among the younger performers are spectacular — Whit Jenkins, performing because the Mad Hatter, is partaking and a powerful onstage bodily presence. Each the White Rabbit and Alice, performed by Marie Solander and June Truss (although I’m undecided whom I noticed wherein position; they share the 2 components) have wonderful elocution and facial features. Emerson Kelleher because the Duchess’ Prepare dinner (and likewise an understandably alarmed Mouse) packs nice emotion into her roles and is extraordinarily watchable. Gus Knapp, taking part in the King of Hearts, is an skilled grownup actor who exudes heat every time he’s onstage. Aarya Sridhara because the Doormouse manages to ship strains sleepily with out being mumbled or inaudible and can be heckin cute. Every member of the forged is simple to listen to and perceive all through the present, which is commendable. I’ve cause to applaud impeccable auditory readability from youngster actors.
TOP: June Tuss (Alice) and Ensemble; ABOVE: June Tuss (Alice), Diana Allison (Caterpillar), and Ensemble, in ‘Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas.’ Photographs by William T. Gallagher Images.
Rather than a run crew, actors typically function set rearrangers and puppeteers for scenic results and character work. That is executed easily and shortly so there’s minimal lag between scenes. Seating surrounds three sides of the comfortable staging house. An intricate tree dominates the set, and a checkerboard flooring is painted black and inexperienced. A formidable array of stage lights, together with black lights, creates visible magic all through the efficiency. A display upstage facilitates projection results, although these are considerably underwhelming. Character entrances are comprised of backstage in addition to by means of the principle aisle main from the foyer into the theater. Due to that, toilet journeys, if crucial throughout the present, should be fastidiously timed. There are two all-gender particular person toilets. Each are giant and accessible.
Many costumes adhere intently to John Tenniel’s authentic drawings and are superb works of handcrafting. Margie Jervis and her workforce of designer/builders deal with surroundings and costuming in an imaginative, book-centric option to ship a suggestive set, slightly than representational, and current an impressed array of outfits that work for the characters, the viewers, and the actors, a few of whom have a number of wardrobe modifications. Non-traditional supplies are used to nice impact.
This model of Alice in Wonderland, on account of intelligent staging, beautiful costuming, and enthusiastic efficiency, seems terrific, sounds nice in each spoken and sung sequences, and accommodates an abundance of Lewis Carroll’s authentic phrases. Add the twist of Spanish language dialogue and the result’s a novel model of a beloved basic. Attempt to not make an excessive amount of sense of the nonsense and simply benefit from the journey.
Operating Time: 75 minutes, with no intermission
Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas by Studying Theater performs by means of November 24, 2024 (Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm), at Artistic Cauldron – 410 South Maple Avenue, Retail 116, Falls Church, VA. For tickets ($18–$20, with household 4-packs obtainable for $65), name (703) 436-9948 or buy them on-line.
A dwell streaming choice is on the market on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 7:30 pm for $15.
This system for Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas might be seen in English right here and in Spanish right here and bought within the foyer for $5.
A multi-level parking storage on the identical block as Artistic Cauldron affords free public parking. There’s extra info and instructions obtainable on-line. I didn’t see (and I seemed) any official theater coverage relating to Covid precautions, however I did see a number of visitors sporting protecting masks, as I hope anybody would do who’s in danger or feeling run down.
Ultimate Factoid: Lewis Carroll, intentionally writing highfalutin’ satirical nonsense within the late 1860s, was actually an affect on what would develop into the Dada artwork motion. Take into account this alternate: “I know what you’re thinking about,” stated Tweedle-dum, “But it ain’t so, nohow.” “Contrariwise,” continued Tweedledee, “if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.”
COVID Security: Artistic Cauldron is a mask-optional surroundings. Artistic Cauldron’s COVID-19 Theater Protocol is on the market right here.
Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las MaravillasA Studying Theater ProductionAdapted by LENNY MENDEZDirected by LAURA CONNORS HULL & LENNY MENDEZMusic by MATT CONNERLyrics by STEPHEN GREGORY SMITH