Wonderland, formerly called Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure or Wonderland: A New Alice, is a musical play with a book by Jack Murphy and Gregory Boyd, lyrics by Murphy, and music by Frank Wildhorn. The story, a contemporary version of the novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871) by Lewis Carroll, is set in New York City and focuses on writer Alice Cornwinkle and her 10-year-old daughter Chloe.
After various workshops and productions of the musical in Tampa, Florida and Houston, Texas, the show premiered on Broadway on April 17, 2011, closing a month later, on May 15, 2011.
Major Productions
Preliminary workshops and readings Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy previously collaborated on The Civil War, Waiting For The Moon, The Count of Monte Cristo, and the unproduced musical Havana, and have written songs for Linda Eder. Gregory Boyd has directed productions of Wildhorn's Svengali (for which he penned the lyrics), Jekyll & Hyde, and The Civil War (for which he contributed lyrics and dialogue with Murphy).
Wonderland is the first production mounted by the Broadway Genesis Project, whose goal is to help create new theatre works specifically for the Tampa Bay market, after which they may be staged in other performing arts centers or move to Broadway.Gans, Adrew. "New Wildhorn Musical Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure to Premiere in Tampa". Playbill.com, March 6, 2009
Wildhorn began working on the project in the late 1990s. He initially conceived an Alice similar to the one in the 1951 Disney animated feature and envisioned his then-fiancé, Brandi Burkhardt, in the title role, but as time passed, the two ended their engagement, and the role seemed to be passed to another Wildhorn leading lady Lauren Kennedy. In 2005, Wildhorn announced that the musical would premiere in 2006 in Europe, but this did not occur. The show was workshopped starring Burkhardt in the title role in Tampa, Florida in 2007, with a presentation of four songs (these still appear in the show in some form). The project then focused on the scripts, and TBPAC agreed to make the show its first project.
In the summer of 2007, at a "Wildhorn & Fce More I Can See", with orchestra, and Wildhorn announced that the show would premiere in Tampa in 2009. The project had its first reading in Manhattan on March 20, 2009. It featured Lauren Kennedy as Alice, Julie Brooks as Chloe, Nikki Snelson as the Mad Hatter, and Julia Murney as the Queen.Gans, Andrew. "Kennedy, McCourt, Murney and Egan Set for NYC Reading of Wildhorn's Wonderland". Playbill.com, March 18, 2009
Tampa and Houston (2009–2010) Gregory Boyd was chosen to direct the production, Marguerite Derricks was chosen to choreograph, set designs were by Neil Patel, costume designs were by Susan HilfertyFleming, John. "A Broadway Journey Starts for Wonderland"St. Petersburg Times, October 13, 2009 and lighting designs were by Paul Gallo. In April 2009, auditions were held in Manhattan and at what was then the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.Fleming, John. St. Petersburg Times, May 3, 2009 Casting was complete by August.Fleming, John. "Casting complete for TBPAC's new 'Wonderland' show"St. Petersburg Times, August 12, 2009 The cast included Janet Dacal as Alice, Karen Mason as the Queen of Hearts, Nikki Snelson as the Mad Hatter, Eugene Fleming as the Caterpillar, Jose Llana as El Gato, Edward Staudenmayer as the White Rabbit, Darren Ritchie as Jack/White Knight, and Julie Brooks as Chloe. The creative team also included projection designer Sven Ortel. Rehearsals began on October 12, 2009.
Wonderland began previews on November 24, 2009 and opened on December 5 at Ferguson Hall in The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida, where it ran through January 3, 2010. The musical next moved to the Alley Theatre, Houston, starting in previews on January 15, 2010 and opening on January 20, running through February 14.Hetrick, Adam and Jones, Kenneth. "Wildhorn and Murphy's Wonderland Makes Houston Bow Jan. 15" Playbill.com, January 15, 2010 The musical was budgeted at USD$3.3 million.Fleming, John. St. Petersburg Times, November 29, 2009 According to a report by Straz Center, "the estimated local economic impact...is more than $8.1 million", and noted that "nearly 750 full and part-time jobs [were] impacted"."News Release: 'Wonderland' creates significant economic impact on Tampa" strazcenter.org, December 28, 2009 The show played to 96% capacity in Tampa.Fleming, John. "Straz's 'Wonderland' is bound for Broadway". St. Petersburg Times, August 4, 2010
The production transferred to Houston, opening January 20, 2010 at the Alley Theatre, with previews beginning January 15. It closed on February 14, 2010.Hetrick, Adam. "New Wildhorn Musical Wonderland Opens in Houston Jan 20" Playbill.com, January 20, 2010 The book was rewritten after the Tampa engagement. At the time of the Houston opening, Boyd said: "The book we have now is quite different from the book that opened in Tampa. And we're putting in more changes, including four new songs." Producer Judy Lisi discussed the decisions being made about the show's next step: "Does it make sense to tour it first? Does it make sense to bring it in (to Broadway)? I really want to see how far we get in Houston to be able to determine the next stage of the development."Fleming, John. " 'Wonderland' gets rewrite ahead of opening in Houston". St. Petersburg Times, January 20, 2010
Tampa (2011) The musical returned in a pre-Broadway engagement to Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center in Tampa, with performances running from January 5 through January 16, 2011.Lewis, Jessica. "Wildhorn's WONDERLAND Heads to Broadway Apr. 17, 2011; Gregory Boyd Directs" BroadwayWorld.com, August 3, 2010Fleming, John. . St. Petersburg Times (tampabay.com), January 7, 2011
The show had a new subtitle: Wonderland: A New Alice. A New MusicalTatangelo, Wade. "'Wonderland' returns to Tampa" Bradenton.com, January 6, 2011 and the book was drastically re-written, the roles of the Caterpillar, Chloe and the Mad Hatter were recast (with E. Clayton Cornelius, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Kate Shindle), a character (Morris, the Hatter's side-kick, the March Hare) was added, and a character was deleted (Jabberwock). The revised score featured many of the new songs from the 2010 Houston production, as well as re-implementing the song "Don't Wanna Fall in Love", and adding two others.Wolman, Lauren. "WONDERLAND Streamlined for Straz Center, Then Broadway" BroadwayWorld.com, January 2, 2011
Broadway (2011) The musical premiered on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2011, with previews beginning March 21.Jones, Kenneth. "Alice's New Lookingglass: Wonderland Opens on Broadway" Playbill.com, April 17, 2011 The cast included Janet Dacal as Alice, Darren Ritchie as White Knight and Jack/Lewis Carroll, Jose Llana as El Gato, Karen Mason as the Queen of Hearts, Kate Shindle as the Mad Hatter, Carly Rose Sonenclar as Chloe, and Edward Staudenmayer as the White Rabbit. Tituss Burgess was originally cast as the Caterpillar but was later replaced by E. Clayton Cornelious.Hetrick, Adam and Jones, Kenneth. "Broadway's Wonderland Adds E. Clayton Cornelious; Casting Complete" Playbill.com, November 19, 2010 Boyd directs, Derricks choreographs, and the design team is the same, except for the addition of sound designer Peter Hylenski.
On February 6, it was reported that the musical was US$10 million short of its $14 million captilization.David, Cara Joy. "We're All Mad Here" Huffingtonpost.com, February 6, 2011 The producers, however, announced that "The show is on schedule and we are very thrilled about the work that was done in Florida." The New York Post reported that several producers wanted to bring in additional help. The Nederlanders engaged Scott Ellis to restage the musical and Rupert Holmes to help shape the book.Riedel, Michael. "‘Blunderland’ (maybe)" New York Post, February 2011. See also Fleming, John. "Now we learn if investment pays off as Tampa's 'Wonderland' opens on Broadway Sunday" Tampabay.com, April 16, 2011 After negative reviews the production closed on May 15, 2011, after 31 previews and 33 performances.Jones, Kenneth. "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore; Broadway's Wonderland to Close May 15". Playbill.com, May 10, 2011 Masterworks Broadway released an original cast recording of the show on May 3, 2011."Wonderland in the Recording Studio". BroadwayWorld.com, March 6, 2011 The album was recorded on March 6 during rehearsals and doesn't reflect the finalized versions of the Broadway production's music.
UK Tour (2017)
The musical had its European premiere at the Edinburgh Playhouse in January 2017, which marked the start of a UK tour. The production was directed by Lotte Wakeman with a revised book written by Ava Eldred The production starred Kerry Ellis as Alice, Wendi Peters as the Queen of Hearts, Natalie McQueen as the Mad Hatter and Dave Willetts as the White Rabbit. Originally Carolyn Maitland was cast to play alternate Alice and Mad Hatter. Maitland pulled out before rehearsals due to disagreements with the producer and the production company Wonderland the Musical Ltd regarding her contract. At certain venues, the role of Alice was played by Rachael Wooding.
In July 2017 the 24 remaining performances were cancelled. The week run in Swansea was cancelled first due to “continuing technical issues”, but the plan was to continue in Wolverhampton, Richmond and Bournemouth. On 28 July 2017 a statement from production company Wonderland the Musical Ltd said: "With immediate effect and a heavy heart, the remaining 24 performances of Wonderland in Wolverhampton, Richmond and Bournemouth have been cancelled. "The decision to cancel the final three weeks of the tour has been a difficult one and one that has not been taken lightly. However, following a dispute with one of the show's ex suppliers, the producers of the show have had to consider the consequential effects for the remaining tour dates."
Tuacahn (2022)
The musical opened in May 2022 at Tuacahn Center for the Arts featuring a new book by Gabriel Barre and Jennifer Paulson-Lee. This version of the show was announced to be available for licensing on November 20, 2025.
Youth Premiere (2022)
The musical received its Youth Premiere by Young Artists of America at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD in December 2022, featuring over 160 performers with new symphonic orchestrations by Kim Scharnberg.
Plot The story, in the Broadway production, was as follows: Act 1 Author Alice Stetson and her daughter have just moved to Queens, New York so that Alice can have some space from her husband, Jack ("Home") . Her young daughter, Chloe, laments about the move and her family's demise, as Alice notes that her life isn't going in the direction she had hoped. Edwina, Jack's mother, is cooking dinner for Chloe. Alice, who has just hit her head on the light of the building's service elevator, receives her children's book manuscript back from the publishers, who have coldly rejected it, saying it is too dark for children. She sadly makes a comment that Alice in Wonderland, the book Edwina had been reading to Chloe, was dark. As she lies down, she is awoken by a white rabbit who she follows down to Wonderland ("Down the Rabbit Hole").