Any child (even toddlers) fortunate enough to be taken on a stroll through Golden Gate Park to enjoy We Players “Adventures With Alice” will receive a gift of memories that will last a life time.
What could compare to looking across an expanse of grass and up a small hill to witness a timid but eloquent life sized White Rabbit (the deliciously effective Britt Lauer) puzzling over a wrist watch and twitching with excitement? Or watching the always amazing Chris Steele cavorting and turning cartwheels as Tweedle Dee in the company of Maria Ascencian Leigh’s equally astonishing Tweedle Dum?
Perhaps most memorable would be Alan Coyne, a dignified actor with serious chops playing the Mad Hatter doing circus acrobatics on a jungle gym while juggling teacups. I am writing this review days after I saw his performance and I’m laughing out loud at the memory.
Alan Coyne’s performance as The Mad Hatter is off the hook (or the jungle gym). Photo Credit: We Players
The entire company of this Alice delights in every scene. The “story” of the original book is not the point here. The scenes are randomly selected from Caroll’s work, in no particular order, and with less than perfect adherence to the original, but it matters not at all. It’s the characters and the absurdity that count most, story be damned. You just need to relax, enjoy the magic, and allow yourself to believe the impossible. It won’t be difficult.
Regina Leon, as an adolescent Alice, is the perfect foil for the madness that abounds. She remains enthusiastic and unruffled throughout, and her presence is no doubt comforting to children who might be a bit wary of all the peculiar goings-on. Indeed, all of the company pays close attention to the youngsters and interact reassuringly when necessary.
Brooke Jennings’ costumes are full of magic and pop with expressiveness against the background of Golden Gate Park. Composer Charlie Gurke (and his co-conspirator musicians Greg Stephens, Will Berg, Chris Aschman and Darren Johnston) provide great musical accompaniment.
As always, the vocal expertise of the We Players company enables them to deliver every word with clarity, undeterred by ambient noise or distance. They are marvelous. Director Ava Roy has adapted well to the park setting and keeps things moving along.
What more can I say of Alice’s adventures? Nothing but this: “O frabjous day! Calooh! Callay,” I chortle in my joy. Oh boy!
“Adventures With Alice” continues cavorting in Golden Gate Park through June 2. For further information click here.
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Rating: ***** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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