Photo Flash: First Look at 'WONDERLAND' at Chicago Children's Theatre

Kids, parents, grandparents and school groups, get ready to rock! Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, a new family musical created by top Chicago director Rachel Rockwell and music director Michael Mahler, is Chicago Children's Theatre's big 10th anniversary season finale. Performances began April 22 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Press opening is tonight, April 24 at 7 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago's theater scene promises to get curiouser and curiouser when the powerhouse duo of Rockwell and Mahler, both making their CCT debut, boldly reimagine Lewis Carroll's books Alice in Wonderland and Through the Lookingglass.

And wow! Chicago Children's Theatre has tapped a team of A-list Chicago theater artists, all sought after by the city's top stages, to help create Wonderland: Kevin Depinet (set);Greg Hofmann (lights); Mike Tutaj (projections); Mara Blumenfeld(costumes); Lindsay Jones (sound) and Meredith Miller (props).

Who's playing the title role? Actually, two of Chicago's most dynamic young actors,Isabelle Roberts and Ariana Burks, will alternate performances as Alice.

The cast also boasts familiar faces from Chicago's top stages including Molly Callinan,Lillian Castillo, Matt Deitchman, Jed Feder, Regina Leslie, Jake Mahler, Adam Michaels, Andrew Mueller and Matthew Yee.

How can you march to the beat of your own drummer when you're still writing the song? Everyone's search for one's authentic self is at the heart of Wonderland - book by Rachel Rockwell and Lewis Carroll, music by Michael Mahler, lyrics by Michael Mahler andRachel Rockwell, directed by Rachel Rockwell.

Carroll's beloved, poetic tale of self-actualization is brought to life by a cast of actor/musicians who create an eclectic, live rock soundtrack as 7-1/2 year-old Alice searches for her own inner musical voice. Along the way, Alice faces challenges and fears, but meets the ultimate test in the form of the Jabberwocky, an insidious monster made of up of the dark thoughts and self-doubt that lurks inside of us all. In learning to believe in the impossible, Alice learns to believe in herself. Throughout her journey, the actors surround Alice in a live musical tapestry ranging from classic rock to punk to ska and even a little bit of Bollywood.

Performances continue through May 24. Tickets are $10-$38. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.

Photo Credit: Charles Osgood

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