#1
Posted: 3/27/11 at 9:27am
Dear Lovers of Musical Theatre,
I decided not to read all of the spiteful things about one of my new loves - namely, WONDERLAND - on this often fabulous message board. But I have decided to go ahead and create a Lovers Only Thread so that those of us who actually love and care for the show, its creators, its cast, and its crew can spread a little love.
I had the pleasure of seeing the show in its primary stages at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL, in December 2009 after having been a fan of the score for years. (I listened to early demos in 2006-2007 and fell in love with "Once More I Can See" and "The Mad Hatter".) In this early version, the show still had much to accomplish, but all the pieces were there. I wish I could have seen the Houston production and the Tampa 2011 production, but sadly I missed those opportunities. I was determined to see the very first performance on Broadway - at the lovely and very warm and welcoming Marquis Theatre. I rushed to buy tickets once they were available.
Lo and behold, I was not at all disappointed with the magic I witnessed on March 21, 2011. The story has finally come together. The main characters' journeys have been fleshed out in such a way that the audience can connect much better to who they are, where they come from, and what they need to do. Of course, a first preview serves as a strong indicator of both what works and what needs work...and the cast was the first to say that they were implementing changes in the coming days and weeks. I can't wait to see the show again and again to see what changes are in store.
I know many critics dismiss Frank Wildhorn's music. His score for WONDERLAND is definitely the most diverse Wildhorn score I've heard, ranging from Latin-flavored to ballad to jazzy. Since Wonderland is a truly backwards and upside-down world, the score makes sense. And I cannot wait for the cast recording to be released in May.
I unfortunately don't have enough time to individually praise the members of the cast - many of whom I had the chance to see in the Tampa 2009 production - but I will single out the leads. Janet Dacal has come a long way as Alice and truly owns the role. Darren Ritchie is both funny and sincere as the White Knight. Karen Mason is charming and fun as the Queen of Hearts (as well as her dual role as Edwina, Alice's mother-in-law). Carly Rose Sonenclar shines as Chloe - it's interesting to see so much wisdom and presence in such a young actress. Kate Shindle tears it up as the Mad Hatter. Jose Llana, E. Clayton Cornelious, and Edward Staudenmayer each brings his own loveable style to El Gato, the Caterpillar, and the White Rabbit (respectively). Danny Stiles is frighteningly mad as Morris the March Hare.
I simply don't have enough time (right now) to go on and on about how much I adore this show. But I hope my little blurb is enough to convince people to at least give WONDERLAND a chance.
In that spirit, I would love to open up the floor to those who enjoy the show as much as I do! :)
Wonderland Fan Page on Facebook
I decided not to read all of the spiteful things about one of my new loves - namely, WONDERLAND - on this often fabulous message board. But I have decided to go ahead and create a Lovers Only Thread so that those of us who actually love and care for the show, its creators, its cast, and its crew can spread a little love.
I had the pleasure of seeing the show in its primary stages at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL, in December 2009 after having been a fan of the score for years. (I listened to early demos in 2006-2007 and fell in love with "Once More I Can See" and "The Mad Hatter".) In this early version, the show still had much to accomplish, but all the pieces were there. I wish I could have seen the Houston production and the Tampa 2011 production, but sadly I missed those opportunities. I was determined to see the very first performance on Broadway - at the lovely and very warm and welcoming Marquis Theatre. I rushed to buy tickets once they were available.
Lo and behold, I was not at all disappointed with the magic I witnessed on March 21, 2011. The story has finally come together. The main characters' journeys have been fleshed out in such a way that the audience can connect much better to who they are, where they come from, and what they need to do. Of course, a first preview serves as a strong indicator of both what works and what needs work...and the cast was the first to say that they were implementing changes in the coming days and weeks. I can't wait to see the show again and again to see what changes are in store.
I know many critics dismiss Frank Wildhorn's music. His score for WONDERLAND is definitely the most diverse Wildhorn score I've heard, ranging from Latin-flavored to ballad to jazzy. Since Wonderland is a truly backwards and upside-down world, the score makes sense. And I cannot wait for the cast recording to be released in May.
I unfortunately don't have enough time to individually praise the members of the cast - many of whom I had the chance to see in the Tampa 2009 production - but I will single out the leads. Janet Dacal has come a long way as Alice and truly owns the role. Darren Ritchie is both funny and sincere as the White Knight. Karen Mason is charming and fun as the Queen of Hearts (as well as her dual role as Edwina, Alice's mother-in-law). Carly Rose Sonenclar shines as Chloe - it's interesting to see so much wisdom and presence in such a young actress. Kate Shindle tears it up as the Mad Hatter. Jose Llana, E. Clayton Cornelious, and Edward Staudenmayer each brings his own loveable style to El Gato, the Caterpillar, and the White Rabbit (respectively). Danny Stiles is frighteningly mad as Morris the March Hare.
I simply don't have enough time (right now) to go on and on about how much I adore this show. But I hope my little blurb is enough to convince people to at least give WONDERLAND a chance.
In that spirit, I would love to open up the floor to those who enjoy the show as much as I do! :)
Wonderland Fan Page on Facebook
