Friday, March 6, 2009

Brand new musical premieres in Tampa

So the last couple of days I've been getting several strange red packages in the mail. One contained a pretty mirror with a note about going through the looking glass. The next day, I received a note that was written backwards (I had to put it up to the mirror to find out what it said). The message revealed that an adventure in a wonderland awaits.

I was pretty sure all this was leading to something Alice-in-Wonderlandish. And I was right. The next package was a press kit for the new Frank Wildhorn musical "Wonderland." The show will have its world premiere at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in December. It is a part of the art center's new Broadway Genesis Project, which will provide a creative workshop for new theater productions, said Judith Lisi, art center president.

"Wonderland" will be an updated version of the classic "Alice In Wonderland" tale. Part of the musical is set in present-day Manhattan. It tells the story of author Alice Cornwinkle, who is struggling with her career and her daughter.

The other half of the tale is set in Wonderland, which is in danger of disappearing forever. Alice holds the keys to restore harmony there, find her daughter and conquer the Queen of Hearts while learning to follow her heart.

Gregory Boyd will direct "Wonderland." The show will open Dec. 5 and continue through Jan. 3, with previews Nov. 24-Dec. 4. Tickets go on sale at noon Aug. 16

For more information, visit wonderlandthemusical.org.

- January Holmes

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