BWW Interviews: Beth Marshall & Rob Winn Anderson About on Original Production ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND

There are many places throughout the U.S. that are known for creating brand new plays. Orlando is probably not one of the first places that playwriting comes to mind, but it does happen and when it does it is spectacular. ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND is the newest Beth Marshall Presents, which will make it world premiere on October 18th, right here in Winter Garden, Florida. This is not your typical Alice in Wonderland story. Billed as a whimsical psychological thriller, this production promises to be a version of Alice that has never been seen before. BroadwayWorld chatted with director and producer Beth Marshall, and writer/director, Rob Winn Anderson about the show.

BWW: What was the inspiration for ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND? Why this story in particular over all others?

Beth: For six years I have been envisioning and considering a version of Alice In Wonderland to be part of my theatrical season. For the past five years The Garden Theatre and I had the notion of having this show as part of our seasons. However, it was not until the 2013-14 season that it made the line-ups for each of us.

I have always had a fixation with dark children stories. Of all the classic children's stories, Alice resonates the most with me largely because I find the original source material like a true piece of art open for many interpretations. Whenever, I have discussed Alice with people, ideas of what the story means, images that stand out to them, script that hits home, varies vastly. This excited me and inspired me to want to share my own take.

The vision first came to me in the form of The Queen (more of a Queen of Spades than Hearts, if you will). I knew I wanted a dark gothic tale, told with a modern take and aesthetic from the point of view of a strong female voice and giving integrity to the original source materials, as well as, all the images my imagination conjured up from the books, poems, songs, movies etc... that have been Lewis Carroll written or inspired.

I have worked with Rob Winn Anderson in past BMP seasons as both a director and writer. Having a very clear understanding of his writing style, direction and work ethic, I felt confident that he was the best person to execute my my visions. I asked him (or rather told him) he was hired in Feb. 2013. 25 rewrites later, we are HERE!

Rob: Beth had the initial vision of doing a darker version of Alice. I became intrigued with the idea of exploring a mental illness theme influenced by the book. The story evolved from there.

BWW: From the production photos, this story looks very dark (compared to the Disney version), what should the audience expect and how different is it from other versions?

ROB & BETH: The audience should expect a stellar cast, and a show with top notch production values. Our hope is that they are drawn into the story. That they appreciate the intensity of the drama, and the absurdity of the comedy and leave the theatre feeling moved, entertained and a bit haunted and grateful for being the first to see our world premiere.

BWW: The great thing about an original production is that you have complete freedom. What are some of your favorite things that audiences should be looking out for when they see ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND?

Rob: The set. The costumes. The lighting! The connection between the patients in the asylum, and their Wonderland counterparts.

Beth: My favorite line in the play (which is now tattooed on my body) is "Even Nonsense Has Sense In it." And really- that line is the economy of words of my initial vision, my feelings through the rehearsal process, and the line that best represents the marriage of the worlds of the mental asylum and Wonderland.

I also think it's pretty darn cool how many elements of this production are originally hand made from costumes, set details, devices, props, door knobs, masks, playing cards, cat trees, mushrooms ...the list is LOOONNNGGG!

BWW: ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND was written and directed by Rob Winn Anderson, what are some of the challenges with directing a play that written by the director? At what point do you consider it "done"?

Beth: To be 100% honest.... there have been ZERO challenges for me with Rob Winn Anderson wearing both his writer/director hats with this production. Don't get me wrong, I recognize how there is potential for tons of challenge there and as a producing artistic director, I have very rarely had those two hats worn by the the same individual. But when it's RIGHT and will best serve the overall production, I cast it that way. I am so very glad I did.

I never consider any play "done" until it closes and it is even less "done" after it closes with a new work such as this. My mind is already spinning with remount and future production ideas and possibilities.

Rob: I love when another director takes on my work. They find things in the play that I didn't realize were there. I also love being able to ensure that my overall vision is realized so directing my own work has its advantages. I am not sure a play is ever 'done.' They have a life of their own and continue to grow production after production.

BWW: What is your favorite part of putting a new show together?

Beth: New works are my heart and soul and make up over half of my entire 25 plus years in theatre. The mission of my company is based on producing mostly new works, the missions of every theatrical organization I have ever been at the helm of, leads with new works. So for me it's less about what my "favorite parts are" and more a way of life.

Rob: The collaboration of everyone involved. Writing is a very solitary thing. Putting the show on is a team effort and, that's where it gets exciting - and, sometimes very challenging.

BWW: You have some great partnerships with local businesses and organizations. How important are these partners to the success of your productions?

Beth: ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND marks the ninth Beth Marshall Presents production in partnership with The Garden Theatre. Each day I awake, I am grateful for the gift that The Garden has both blessed and trusted me with by being able to create this original work. The partnership with BMP and The Garden is one I have cherished since we both started our companies in 2008 and it is one that I feel certain will only continue to grow through years to come.

Additionally, I am thankful for ALL the sponsors, partners and individual donors that contributed either financially or in-kind to either BMP or THE GARDEN or both.

Any business that values the importance of art, specifically theatre and even more specifically new original works is a gift to my world, my company and the community that gets to see the final product. With ALL my Spirit, Love & Light- I THANK ALL of our partners, sponsors, donors and patrons. I additionally, am grateful for each artist, actor, designer and company member that gives over investment of time, talents and dedication to ensure the quality of the final product!

BWW: What do you look for when you're picking what show you are going to produce next? How much input do your fans and audiences have?

Beth: I look for strong, well written stories that offer my artists, actors, designers and company the opportunity to shine and do their thing fabulously. I look for stuff that are new, rarely produced or very often produced but I think that the BMP branding could tell the story in a new or untraditional way. I look for works that I think I can produce with a shoestring budget and make my audiences feel like they had a high quality production value experience along with that stellar story and acting.

I look for works that will make my little for-profit indie theatre company enough money that we can stay for-profit in a non-profit arts world. I look for works I can tour affordably and blow some minds along the way. I look for works that I think will fill a gap or serve a need in our Central Florida community. I look for works that align with the mission of BMP and the mission of the partnering venues where I produce. I look for works that are socially or politically relevant locally, nationally or globally. I look for for darker works and material that crosses boundaries, makes audiences think and feel deeply and challenges my artists.

My audiences are as eclectic as my company and me. They all matter. A LOT! I value people, project and paycheck in that order, but each must be present. That's just smart business. And God knows, ya gotta have the business in order to have the show!

BWW: Where do you see BMP in the future? Any hints on what you are thinking of producing next?

Beth: ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND is the second show of my 2013-14 season. Next up is BEATNIK (an original one-nite only 60's themed collaboration of performance art, poetry, politics, hippies, freaks, geeks, Janis Joplin, Andy Warhol, visual art, swords, dance, improv and full surprises) at THE VENUE Dec. 3rd. Next at The Garden is the Tony Award Winning 33 VARIATIONS by Moises Kaufman in March of 2014. Closing the season is my touring show: COMMENCEMENT by Clay McLeod Chapman (a one-woman show about the tragedy of high school shootings). COMMENCEMENT will premiere in Orlando and tour the global Fringe circuit.

I am already in talks with partnering venues and artists about future BMP seasons that go as far as 2016. We generally announce our season the last week of March or beginning of April each year. Visit BethMarshallPresents.com for the full skinny, audition/job opportunities or to sign up for our newsletter.

Beth and Rob thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and for your commitment to bringing quality productions to the Orlando area. Best of luck with ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND.

ALICE LOST IN WONDERLAND will world premiere at The Garden Theatre on October 18, 2013. It will run until November 3, 2013. The Garden Theatre is located in Winter Garden, Florida minutes away from the Florida Turnpike and the 429 just a few miles west of Orlando. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.gardentheatre.org/plays/.

Photo Credit: Kristen Wheeler of KHPhotographics.com.

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