Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of NW Children's Theater & School's Jazz Odyssey ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Everybody Here is Mad! Tumble down the rabbit hole as Alice's adventures through Wonderland are transformed into a spectacular jazz odyssey! This original NWCT adaptation is filled with classic characters from the Mad Hatter to the Queen of Hearts and a beautiful original score inspired by jazz greats from Miles to Monk. Scroll down to meet the stars of the show!

When Alice (Kai Tomizawa) follows the White Rabbit (Sophie Mackay) down the rabbit hole to Wonderland she finds a world where both logic and music are unfamiliar to her. Here she meets a host of classic characters, recast to represent the many faces and eras of the jazz move- ment; from the Miles Davis-inspired trumpet strains of Kevin Michael-Moore's Caterpillar, to a mad-cap tea party evoking Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman. Rounding out the cast is Portland's own jazz icon Marilyn Keller, pulling double duty as the Queen of Hearts and the Door Mouse. Alice's journey is accompanied live by an onstage band of musicians hand-picked by composer Ezra Weiss. They include Thomas Barber (trumpet), Noah Bernstein (saxophone/clarinet), Stan Bock (trombone), Peter LaMalfa (piano), Adam R. Jones (bass), and Tim Paxton (drums).

Alice first premiered on the NWCT stage in 2008, earning praise from children, parents, and critics alike. In 2009 the original soundtrack for Alice in Wonderland was named one of Talkin' Broadway's Top 10 Cast Albums of the year. Alice was the first of composer Ezra Weiss' original NWCT adaptations, followed by 2009's Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus and 2013's tap musical hit Cinderella. In it, Weiss has created a fun, fast-paced adventure that serves as both a children's introduction to jazz and a game of "spot-the-reference" for jazz enthusiasts.

All shows are at Noon & 4pm on Jan 30, 31 and Feb 6, 7, 13, 14, 15*, 20, 21, 27, 28*, with a Feb 21: 4pm Sensory Friendly Show *Noon Show Only. For tickets and information, call 503-222-4480 or visit NWCTS.org.

Photo Credit: David Kinder