CYT NWCook Presents 'Alice in Wonderland' musical

Whimsy and wordplay are the order of the day in this pop rock musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice in Wonderland."

Performances run Oct. 25-Nov. 4 at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines.

"Basically, it has almost nothing to do with the original story, except that she falls down the rabbit hole," says the show's director, Melissa Crabtree.

"We have Alice. We have Wonderland entertainment. We have an alternate world, where she meets all these different characters who are nods and winks to characters you know from the original story."

"Alice in Wonderland: A Pop Musical" was written by Jon Lorenz, a good friend of CYT. The show won the 2005 Stephen Schwartz/ASCAP National New Musical Award. Some of the lyrics are taken directly from Caroll's book, and the story loosely follows the concept of Alice as someone who has fallen into a crazy world and who comes out the other side with a new perspective.

In this adaptation, Alice Liddell is a 17-year-old at Lutridge Academy. Pressured by teachers and parents to draw up a 10-year life plan for her final grade, Alice ditches school to meet her idol, Delilah, a rock queen with Alice's idea of a perfect life. In pursuit of a meeting with Delilah, she falls down the "rabbit hole."

"She ends up going down a path that has many twists and turns," says Kaylee Hayden, the 17-year-old playing the title role. "The journey helps her discover who she is and where she wants to be in her life.

"Our show is a fun twist on the story, and keeps the whimsical elements from the original, but adds a whole other level that relates to today's society," says Hayden.

"I love the show because the cast can really have ownership - it is their show," she adds. "It really lets us ask, 'What is awesome about you being you?' and can we put that in the show and highlight it."

Spread throughout the show are original music numbers borrowing from many rock genres, including pop, blues, and rock 'n' roll.

"My favorite songs are 'My Turn Now' at the end of act one and 'Looking Glass Girl' to end the show," says Hayden. "There is some really awesome talent in the show, and it will make your heart melt."

"The music is fun, and the kids really like it," Crabtree adds.

Set against this whimsical, funny world, the message is still a serious one - not trying to change yourself into what your friends and family want you to be.

"Alice and the other characters discover through the course of the show that it is OK to not know what the plan is right this minute," says Crabtree. "What is important is being yourself."

"I'm a senior in high school," says Hayden. "I can relate to the message. I think a lot of other people will relate to it too."

Bright, modern and splashy, this version of the Alice tale connects the strange happenings of Wonderland to her real world as she explores the adolescent frustration of "what am I going to do with my life?"

"Alice in Wonderland: A Pop Musical" is for all ages. Tickets are $13-$15 presale, $2 additional at the door (weekday matinee, child and senior prices available). Visit www.cytchicago.org and click on "Shows" or call (847) 516-2298 to purchase tickets. The Prairie Lakes Theater seats only 300, so shows sell out quickly.

For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/CYTNorthwestCook.