WONDERLAND: The Lovers Only Thread!

[luvwicked]

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

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 9:39am

Thank you SO much for starting this thread. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the show since I saw it the other day. My friends and I honestly had the best time there and we've been referencing it ever since. I've always thought that this story needed to be told on Broadway with a brilliant score and a fantastic book. Still hoping it happens one day, too.

KISSES!

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 9:50am

ok, time to come out of BWW retirement. I have seen MANY shows. I have seen some of the best (Phantom, Wicked, Memphis, etc) and some of the shall we say, under developed (Spider-Man, Addams family, Shrek, Lestat, Dracula, etc) and I can certainly state that Wonderland, after a mere 8 Broadway previews (a fact I feel some of the shall we say "misguided" posters on this board neglect) is certainly on the right footing. Is the show in need of some work? Yes. Do I think the creative team is lollygagging around doing nothing? No. I saw plenty a person in the Marquis holding notebooks and accordion folders. Now, it couldn't been a School Night, but I doubt it. What I also witnessed was that the audience ate the show up. The applause for such songs as Home, One Knight, and I Will Prevail (heck, I wanted to give Kate Shindle a standing o after that song!) was deafening. People got most of the jokes, with thunderous laughter and applause for the Tea Party line. I will undoubtedly make a return trip to the show again. Why? Because it is a fn night at the theater!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 10:03am

Gotta chime in here too !!! Loved the show.... No, its not perfect---ok.. might be far from it-- but I had a blast,
and cant wait to see it again.

And REALLY want to see Morgan James play Alice-

She can sing the H**K out of the score !!!

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 10:30am

broadwaybound882, I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and say you are absolutely hilarious. Good work.

[[e-mail]]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 10:35am

Yeah, I'm with you. I really enjoyed it. It has a lot of really great elements. Yes there are quite a few problems that need fixing but there is still time for that. I think the score is really great and I would go back solely to hear the songs again. And Kate Shindle's performance was worth every penny I paid for that ticket. Honestly all they need to do is work on the book and add a little more urgency and suspence to the plot. And I think the show will do well.

They are obviousely working really hard on this show. It sounds like they have already made changes and are working on lots more. I think they are taking ownership and realize it isn't perfect. And that is very commendable since many like stick up their noses and take the attitude of "I don't care what everyone else thinks, I think it's perfect".

So I am really pulling for this show! And I really hope it ends up doing well. And if not, I'll just be happy that I got to see it.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 10:56am

Count Mr & Mrs Roxy in

We loved it and plan to see it again. **** the critics and the horse they rode in on.

[SupportTheater]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 1:28pm

i saw the show and liked it a lot too.....The show I saw had audience reactions like the ones broadwaybound wrote about. The audience ate up the show...and so did I :)

[dtzumbrunnen]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 1:28pm

@Testing1232 - I saw Morgan go on for Janet in Tampa, and that was the #1 thing that made me enjoy the show. All the plot things people keep mentioning were issues in Tampa too, but Morgan sang that score for ALL it's worth (and maybe a little more!)

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 2:19pm

Omg i totaly loved this play to !!!!! the first play i ever saw, was wicked and i love that show to. i wanted to go watch legaly blond but my mommy said it was " to adult " for me..... neways back to wonderland !!! it was soooo good... it had all my favorite colors in it.... the music was loud and it felt like it would fill your head right up... we sat real close !!! each song was so different from each other, so it don't matter what kind a music you like...theirs something in wonderland for you to enjoy.... i realy liked the actors in it bcuz they werent afraid of just taking it easy.....and letting u enjoy the sets and costumes instead of focusing on the words or the story or whatevz....... i laughed a couple times.... i was like " omg a disney joke? they did NOT just go there...! ".... but they totally did !!! and then they went back lol.... omg the soup??? sooo random lol.... but yeah.... good show....

[Patash]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 5:52pm

I haven't seen this show yet, and won't till May, but this kind of thread always intriques me. So basically the idea is "I love this show and no one should post if they don't agree with me." Right? Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of a message board? What kind of intelligent discussion comes out of a group of people who are required to all feel the same before they start to discuss?

[kyle4]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 6:19pm

i did not want to start a WONDERLAND: the STRONGLY LIKERS only THREAD... so i hope i am welcome here.. 
 
i STRONGLY LIKED this show... i REALLY enjoyed it... 
 
who cares what the critics think... their comments won't make the experience i had... and the NEXT experience i have with this show ANY different... 
 
tell people who care about a good time... who enjoy a good ol' FUN musical...to SEE  it... 
 
i did that on my VERY SEXY blog... 
 
http://thetheaterbuff.typepad.com/the-theater-buff/ 
 
i can't belive we have to worry about the survival of a gem like WONDERLAND in a theater climate that awards MEMPHIS...BEST MUSICAL !!! 
 
scary times !!! 
 
long live WONDERLAND !!!

Updated On: 3/27/11 at 06:19 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 6:28pm

I have been listening to the concept album I got from iTunes, and it has some great songs. If they can just improve the plot, this could be a good show. I love Finding Wonerland and Through the Looking Glass.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 7:23pm

Kyle

I agree with you on Wonderland but disagree on Memphis which I liked as well.

[luvwicked]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 7:28pm

Patash, I in no way intended to make this a thread that requires people to like WONDERLAND...I merely wanted to provide this board with an alternative way of thinking about the show. It seems a lot of folks are very anti-WONDERLAND and I wanted there to be a special place to share the love for the show. I'm all about different opinions - that's what makes the world go 'round, right? Anyway, I'm so happy there are so many people who love this show.

On another note, it's great to see so many new musicals this season! I hope to see them all, time and finances permitting.

[Patash]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 9:09pm

OK, then I guess I misinterpreted this description in your original post. Sorry.

"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."

[philly03]

Posted: 3/27/11 at 9:20pm

I like it when people hate on Wildhorn and he proves them wrong, but I don't know about this time.

bwayphreak234 :
You will be disappointed as the show doesn't reflect the concept recording at all. Different orchestrator, different lyrics/arrangements, etc. Some are better, much are worse or just different (or cut).

Still I recommend the concept recording of the show... it's a great collection of tunes! Updated On: 3/27/11 at 09:20 PM

[luvwicked]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 9:22am

Patash, no reason to be sorry! My experience online has led me to believe that it's easy to misinterpret/misunderstand things in an online setting. No worries.

The concept of "Lovers Only" was meant to be funny. Obviously, there are people out there who don't share my love for this show, and that's fine by me - everyone is entitled to her or his own opinion, and I respect the rainbow of opinions that is this message board. I just wanted to root for the underdog and create a thread where those of us who like or love the show - or simply enjoy one or more elements of it - could share the love. My apologies if people got the wrong impression.

On that note, I've been told that new changes will be instituted this week. I look forward to seeing this show again soon. I love the beauty of live theatre - it's nice to see a show develop over time. The preview period is a fascinating one.

[zachteach]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 10:03am

I also read some horrible things about this show.I am going next week because I want to like it.I have seen almost all of the new Broadway musicals this season-Anything Goes,Priscilla,Catch Me If You Can,Book of Mormon,Sister Act,Baby Its You, and How To Succeed.This is the only show I have heard so many negative things about.I have enjoyed almost all of the new musicals I have seen this season.I hope to enjoy this show as well!

[LaVieBoheme]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:42pm

For those who have seen the show, can someone give me an approximate running time, because it doesn't give one on the website.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:52pm

As I posted in the other thread. An enjoyable night out at the theater and definitely worth a look. It sounds like they are making chnages as the show progresses. If it stays on TDF I will likely bring friends, if for nothing more than to see Kate Shindle again!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 8:56pm

I think it was about 1 hr & 50 minutes plus intermission as of Saturday night.

[jennafan]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 9:53pm

I hate these types of threads. People must not realize that EVERY show will have people who hate it and people who love it.

A review is a review and I don't think the subject titles need to reflect the reviews. If anyone hates the show, I am sure they would have a hard time posting under "Lovers Only."

You are basically asking for one sided opinions, which isn't fair at all.

PR Team..

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 11:45pm

Just got back from "revisit"--- show MUCH tighter--- better flow- There were changes made--- the annoying "Alice Step Echo" was taken out of the tea party scene--- and I dont remember "Home" being a duet with Alice and Chloe-- even the Playbill lists Alice only-

I could be mistaken, but tonight Chloe came of out the right door and sang with Alice- Dont remember that when I saw last week.

Btw, got my tic thru TDF, and was in first row. Orch A-- amazing !

Show seemed to be around 10-15 mins shorter... Runnning time 2:10, incl the intermission.

[Anakela]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 11:57pm

There were changes made--- the annoying "Alice Step Echo" was taken out of the tea party scene--- and I dont remember "Home" being a duet with Alice and Chloe-- even the Playbill lists Alice only-

Home being Alice/Chloe is definitely new, it was still Alice only on Saturday night. So if Chloe is now there for Home how did that set up going into A Nice Little Walk- is that still after Home, does that song still start back in the apartment?