Lookingglass Alice

"All in the golden afternoon" is a well-known song from the movie Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; (commonly known as Alice in Wonderland). Written in 1865 by Lewis Carroll, inspired by a young girl named Alice Pleasance Liddell, who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of humanlike creatures. The story of Alice has been translated into 174 languages and adapted for movies, radio, art, ballet, opera, musicals, theme parks, board games, and video games.

But the Lookingglass Theatre production of these combined stories of Carroll takes you to another stratosphere. Lookingglass Alice isn't the riddle me this "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" mystery proposed by the Mad Hatter version where children, even when Carroll wrote this classic story, couldn't understand. But more of a bizarre, whimsical blow-your-mind acrobatic absurdity Monty Python adult interpretation that will have you unconsciously guffaws in your seat. 

You find yourself in the story as the stage is divided by a curtain as you walk into the theatre. There are items on the floor, like the chessboard and train set with a sizeable victorian style mirror stand, allowing you to see the other side of the rabbit hole. We were on the side where Dodgson was sitting in a chair reminiscing about his adventures with Alice. As he walks to the center of the stage, you can see Alice appear on the other side of the curtain. They both meet in the mirror, and as they try to understand why they do not see their image in the mirror, the curtain suddenly gets pulled away, allowing the audience to see the entire stage. And this is when the fun begins. 

In this production, people are jumping, hanging from scapples, jumping from the stage into the audience, flying, falling, and causing wild and hilarious chaos; you will feel like you're at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 

Adapted and Directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin, provides the audience with an exhilarating 90 minutes that is insanely witty and brilliantly entertaining. You can't help but smile and laugh out loud with the outlandish performances as the kooky cast of characters are juggling, bouncing, throwing balls, swinging, and riding a tricycle. 

David Catlin, whose catalog features captivating performances from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Moby Dick, again shows his talents to dazzle his audience with an amazing Cirque du Soleil meets childhood literary nonsense fiction with an electrifying twist. As he transports audiences down the rabbit hole with spectacles that brings out the child in us all, the ("We're all mad here") cast of Lindsey Noel Whiting, Kareem Bandealy, Michel Rodriguez Cintra, Samual Taylor, and Adeoye performed all of the magic.   

Lindsey Noel Whiting plays Alice on her wonderland journey through the looking glass to become a queen. Whiting's charm on stage is delightful, and her gymnastic skills are dazzling and breathtaking. I also loved her chemistry with Samual Taylor, who had me in tears with his off-script Harvey Korman and Tim Conway improvs. Taylor was the gem of the evening.

Kareem Bandealy, who had been in several productions at Lookingglass, was simply outstanding as the Red Queen. Bandealy's as the Red Queen floating in the water, talking to Alice was priceless. Cuban-born dancer, teacher, and choreographer Michel Rodriguez Cintra bring his talents and wit as the White Rabbit and Dormouse. Cintra has more energy than the energizer bunny, and watch out because he is bound to be somewhere lurking in the audience, waiting to bring you laughter and joy. And you have never seen a feline-like Adeoye. This talented soul cat with the seductive meow is just what this eccentric story needs. Adeoye, another Lookingglass thespian talent, enthralled the audience, transforming from cool (Cheshire Cat) to a nerdy guy. Except for Whiting, all of the other actors play several characters on stage, and their stellar performances will surely stop the Red Queen from saying, "Off with their heads!" 

 Inspired by Lewis Carroll's beloved stories, Lookingglass Alice's circus-infused trip down the rabbit hole is undoubtedly a family outing you will enjoy. 

Let's Play Theatrical Review Highly Recommends the family-friendly Lookingglass Alice at Lookingglass Theatre. 

Lookingglass Theatre

Lookingglass Alice

From the works of Lewis Carroll

Adapted and Directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin

April 30- July 31, 2022