Thursday, October 10, 2024
Aaron Krause, theater critic
John Mazuelos as The Mad Hatter. (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz)
Visionary and versatile live theater artist Giancarlo Rodaz’s new immersive and audience participatory stage adaptation of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is a piece for our time.
Indeed, with its unpredictability and darkness, Rodaz’s version reflects the uncertainty and anxiety we face in today’s often-dark and scary world – a world not unlike Wonderland, at least to the titular character. Sudden darkness and repeated banging on a door, for instance, may unsettle you. And, be aware, there's a chance you'll get wet.
A costumed cast member in Area Stage's production. (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz)
But at the same time, the adaptation, running through Sunday, Oct. 20 in an energetic Area Stage Company (ASC) world premiere production, doesn’t lose sight of the fact that “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is a children’s story. Undoubtedly, there’s enough of a playful vibe to satisfy youngsters and young ones at heart. In fact, at times you’ll feel like a young child with other kids much like attending story time at your local library.
The roughly 70-minute production without intermission plays out in a spacious room within ASC’s black box and studio space in the Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami.
The fact that the show is unpredictable not only reflects today’s anxiety and uncertainty but should keep audiences attentive – you just don’t know what will happen next. And if you’re the type of audience member who doesn’t want to participate, no problem. You can simply observe and you won't be judged.
Rodaz’s adaptation, described as “part party game, part escape room, and part play” takes audiences into a space that looks like some type of art/music room. In particular, paint looks like it’s peeling from walls and a piano rests in one corner. In another area of the space, a turf-like surface graces the ground, perfect for a croquet game.
Even the lighting instruments appear party-ready. The instruments move while changing hues from red to blue.
“Have you guessed the riddle yet?” a man wearing a black coat asks. It’s hard not to be curious after hearing this question.
The Queen of Hearts (Katie Duerr) is in no mood to party. (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz)
Soon, characters with whom you may be familiar enter the room -- The Queen of Hearts, the titular character, The Mad Hatter, Mock Turtle, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit.
Of course, if you’re a fan of English author and poet Lewis Carroll’s beloved story “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” these fictional folks will be familiar to you. If you’re a newbie to the story about young Alice, you may feel lost at times, like her.
So, for newcomers, background information may help.
Greta Hicks as Alice and John Mazuelos as The Mad Hattter. (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz)
In Carroll’s imagination, Alice is a young girl who falls asleep in a meadow and dreams of following a White Rabbit down a rabbit hole. She lands in Wonderland, a place with numerous strange creatures and bizarre adventures. They include attending a tea party with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, as well as playing croquet with a flamingo and hedgehogs. And yes, in Rodaz’s adaptation, you can play along.
During her time in Wonderland, Alice not only experiences such adventures, but wrestles with questions of identity, reality, and the nature of imagination.
The titular character is full of wonder and uncertainty while in Neverland. And in ASC’s production of “Alice and the Mad Tea Party,” cast member Greta Hicks deftly captures these qualities. Hicks, a performer with long reddish hair and bluish eyes, looks lost and confused as her character wanders around the strange land.
John Mazuelos as The Mad Hatter (standing) and Katie Duerr as the Queen of Hearts at the piano. (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz)
Hicks leads a cast of performers with whom you may be familiar if you frequent ASC’s productions. Specifically, in addition to Hicks, John Mazuelos plays The Mad Hatter and Mock Turtle, Katie Duerr portrays The Queen of Hearts and Caterpillar, Maggie McNeil steps into the skin of The Dormouse and Cheshire Cat, Frank Montoto becomes The March Hare and Dodo, Tico Chiriboga plays White Rabbit, and child performer Antoinette Jane Mass steps into Young Alice’s shoes.
Each performer creates a distinct and interesting character and appears to have a blast playing make believe. In addition to creating the adaptation, Rodaz helmed the production, directing it with playful, even rowdy energy.
Rodaz, who has received well-deserved acclaim for his immersive productions, also designed the set, lighting, and sound.
In addition to performing, Duerr also worked behind the scenes as musical director (you’ll likely recognize some songs, such as “Jump in The Line” (“Shake Senora”) from “Beetlejuice.” And who among us isn’t familiar with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” an English lullaby featuring lyrics from an early 19th-century English poem. The Queen of Hearts plays the latter song on the piano while the others sing. It’s a nice change of pace from constantly hearing her demanding “Off with (his or her) head!”
For the most part, the queen doesn’t appear to be in a party mood, despite the fact that she sports a party hat. The hat, as well as her white and black outfit, are among the colorful and varied costumes that Sofia Ortega designed.
Promotion for the production asks, “Are You Mad Enough to Join?” Go and enjoy – and don’t worry; and everyone leaves with their heads intact in spite of the queen’s demands.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Alice and the Mad Tea Party.”
WHEN: Through Sunday, Oct. 20. Show times are 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.
WHERE: The Shops at Sunset Place (above Barnes and Noble), 5701 Sunset Drive in South Miami
TICKETS: $50.
INFORMATION: Go to www.areastage.org or call (305) 666-2078
