Alice’s ‘Wonderland’ Is To Change The World With Her Video Game

This summer, The Coterie will produce the world premiere of the new family musical, Alice’s Wonderland, performed live on The Coterie’s mainstage located in Crown Center, though August 7, 2022.

In Alice’s Wonderland, Alice is a teenage video game designer who dreams of changing the world with her new video game, Wonderland. When Rabbit suddenly emerges from the screen and offers her an escape from reality, Alice takes the leap and lands in an elusive world that challenges her to find her inner strength.

Freely adapted from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and featuring an original score that could be found on Billboard’s Hot 100, Alice’s Wonderland music has not been heard before in theatre for young audiences.

Alice’s Wonderland is cowritten by J. Quinton Johnson, a multi-talented composer and performer who is currently in the cast of Hamilton on Broadway, and Julia Riew, an accomplished writer who is a St. Louis native and recent graduate of the Harvard Theater and Music program. It is based on a treatment by Linda Chichester and David Coffman of HipHopMusicals.com.

“Since Alice’s story has been adapted in so many ways, I looked forward to unearthing a new story,” says Riew of their first collaboration together. “We dreamed up the entire world and story together (and) Q took the lead on music and lyrics, while I took the lead on the book. One of the things that we wanted to do with this adaptation was to focus on making Alice an active protagonist!” Ms. Riew exclaimed about their decision to make Wonderland a place of Alice’s own creation.

“What better way to have Alice happen to Wonderland than have her actually build Wonderland herself?!” Johnson exclaimed. Ms. Riew added, “This isn’t just any Wonderland. This is Alice’s Wonderland. This is an adventure that she decides to jump into, and she makes every decision every step along the way.”

“The story of Alice’s Wonderland was inspired by our experiences as artists,” continued Ms. Riew, “We both faced a lot of self-doubts when we started out. Social media’s focus on instant gratification and constant exposure can make it easy for kids to become critical of themselves ... to let selfdoubt sneak in. Our Alice goes through this and ultimately learns how to stay true to herself, while finding the strength to finish her dream project.”

“Dreaming and imagination are as essential to our development as human beings,” Johnson said. “Alice is a dreamer, but she has to believe in herself even when it feels like no one else is interested.” Director Brianna Woods adds, “Self-confidence isn’t an instant gift. It is found on a journey that is confusing and frustrating and full of surprises--but the journey teaches us so much about ourselves.”

The exciting use of various styles of music in Alice’s Wonderland will delight audiences. Ms. Woods enthused, “This music is contagiously good. Once the beat drops you can’t help but want to jump in and join the party. It’s an instant rumpshaker!”

Producing Artistic Director Jeff Church brags on Adam Hooper’s set design, “Audiences are in for an astonishing experience as we watch Alice get drawn into a giant MacBook that’s nearly the size of our whole stage!”

The Coterie’s production of Alice’s Wonderland will run approximately 65 minutes with no intermission and will be best appreciated by families with ages eight and older. Tickets are $14.00 for youth under 18, students, and seniors 60 and older, and $18.00 for adults. Call The Coterie’s box office at 816474-6552, or visit www.thecoterie.org.