**** Recommended Kokandy Productions always seem to choose edgy, unique, sometimes odd, but always interesting musicals. Alice by Heart definitely fits that criteria. Alice by Heart is definitely fantastical, but it’s also really confusing and difficult to follow. The long narrow set (down the middle of the room) doesn’t help. On the other hand, the cast, filled with talented newcomers, is terrific. The music is haunting and beautiful, so in spite of my confusion, I give it 4 Spotlights.
Alice by Heart is set in the London Underground during the blitzkrieg in 1941. That long narrow set – the Underground! Alice (Caitlyn Cerza) and her best friend, Albert (Joe Giovannetti), are reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland together. When the friends took shelter one night, Alice brought her battered copy along, but Red-Cross Nurse (Niki-Charisse Franco) quarantined Albert because he has tuberculosis. When Alice tried to visit him, the Nurse ripped her book up as a punishment.
Somehow, I’m not sure why, maybe Alice’s fantasizing, the other people sheltering in the Underground start changing into the characters in Alice’s book and Alfred becomes the White Rabbit. Alice interacts with all of the well-known characters although they don’t necessarily act like the characters in the book (or in any of the movies for that matter).
By the way, the people in the Underground who change into the characters in Wonderland are: Ezra Borrero (Nigel/Dormouse); Elliott Esquivel (Angus/Caterpillar); Niki-Charisse Franco (Red Cross Nurse/Queen of Hearts); Darian Goulding (Dr. Butridge/Jabberwocky/King of Hearts); Will Lidke (Harold Pudding/Mad Hatter); Patrick O’Keefe (Dodgy/Duchess); Mizha Lee Overn (Tabitha/Cheshire Cat) and Alex Stetkevich (Clarissa/Mock Turtle). Young Alice (Emily Ling Mei) and Young Alfred (Peter Stielstra) also appear.
Alice gets teased by the Caterpillar (Esquivel), gets advice from the Cheshire Cat (Overn), dances with the White Rabbit. She’s scolded by the Duchess (O’Keefe) and plays croquet with the Queen of Hearts (Franco).
When Albert wants her to end the story early, he morphs into the kind of mean March Hare. In real life she says she hates him for getting sick, but doesn’t get to apologize when he’s taken to Ward D. She tries to reach him but is stopped by the Jabberwocky/Dr. Butridge (Goulding). After a very strange trial, Alice defends herself, Alfred finally supports her, and together they break out of Wonderland. Back in the Underground, they realize they must say goodbye.
Alice by Heart, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was written by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson with music by Duncan Sheik and lyrics by Steven Sater. It was originally presented by the Royal National Theatre in London in 2012. It had a limited run Off-Broadway in early 2019.
The Kokandy Midwest premiere is directed by Derek Van Barham and Brittney Brown with music direction by Heidi Joosten and choreography by Derek Van Barham.
Alice by Heart musicians are Craig Buckner (Drums), Sophie Creutz (Reeds), Heidi Joosten (Keyboard/Conductor), Rachel Schuldt (Cello) and Samuel Stein (Guitar).
The Kokandy production of Alice by Heart runs through September 29th in the Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 W. Division Street, Chicago. Parking is hard to find in this neighborhood. I recommend one of the parking apps.
Running time is 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 pm; Sundays at 5:00 pm. Tickets range from $45-$55. FYI www.kokandyproductions.com.