NYC Theater Review: 'Wonderland' on Broadway is the Wildest Wonderland Yet
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But don't think you need to hire an interpreter or tutor for Wildhorn's eclectic score: It absolutely mirrors the music kids and their parents carry around on their iPods. Think the cast album is going to be a big deal downloaded for everyone from Boomers to grade-schoolers? Bet on it.
And just in case you were curious, one of the hottest numbers in the show is the Act I boy-band number "One Knight," sung by Jack the White Knight and his posse of "fellow knights."
To say it's fun and right on the money is a disservice to its pop-kitsch gestalt. The crowd, literally, goes wild.
All the Details
Wonderland is now playing at the Marquis Theatre (at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, 2nd Floor, 1535 Broadway)
- Age Range: 7 and up
(Can dip down a notch for an ultra-savvy youngster with a mature attention span and off-the-chart love of fantasy.)
In the event that the scary aspects of the show are of concern, rest assured that unless your child is ultra-sensitive, the storyline and special effects are totally in keeping with kids' innate fascination with the dark side of fantasy. And, according to Wildhorn, when compared to other family shows, the "frightening" aspects of Wonderland, "aren't nearly as scary as Ursula in The Little Mermaid...or the death of Simba's father in The Lion King."
- Playing Schedule: Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm; Sunday at 3pm
- Tickets: $56.75 - $139.75
- Cast: Edwina/Queen of Hearts: Karen Mason
Chloe: Carly Rose Sonenclar
Alice: Janet Dacal
The White Rabbit: Edward Staudenmayer
Caterpillar: E.Clayton Cornelios
El Gato: Jose Llana
Jack the White Knight: Darren Ritchie
Morris the March Hare: Danny Stiles
The Mad Hatter: Kate Shindle
The Wonders of "Wonderland"
In addition to the score, direction, and delicious performances overall, Wonderland also clocks in as a visual masterpiece. The reason for this is simple: The designers for the production have created a mind-blowing universe of sights, sounds, sets, and costumes. We're talking a proscenium arch enclosed in a massive Victorian mirror frame; psychedelic and other killer projection/video effects; and the most amazing costumes to hit Broadway since Wicked (not a stretch, since Susan Hilferty is responsible for both shows).
- Sets by Neil Patel (Oleanna, Ring of Fire, Side Man, 'night Mother)
- Costumes by two-time Tony-winner Susan Hilferty (Wicked; Into the Woods)
- Sound by Peter Hylenski (Shrek, Rock of Ages, Elf)
- Video & Projection designs by Sven Ortel (The Little Mermaid; The Woman in White; Jumpers)
- Lighting by Paul Gallo (more than 50 Broadway shows, including Pal Joey, The Rocky Horror Show, and Wildhorn's The Civil War)
Travel Tips to Wonderland
Passport: Not required
Visa: Just for merchandise and snacks
Packing Suggestions: For kids: wide eyes, giggles, and the ability to bounce up and down in your seat; for adults: inner child; for all: suspension of disbelief (it is a fairy tale, after all!)