On Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st, Spec Labs’ original production, “Inheriting Wonderland” debuted live at the Theatre 68 Arts Complex in North Hollywood to smashing success! We held three sold out shows over the course of the weekend and haven’t stopped hearing the rave reviews from friends, family, and attendees who enjoyed the performance!
Our mixed-media theatrical production reimagined Lewis Caroll’s timeless tale of Alice in Wonderland. Our actors danced and sang original songs alongside a live band in performances filled with wondrous puppetry, film, and art projection. The original story, co-written by director, Cathy McAuley, and actor, Henry Dodds, depicts the beautiful complexity of growing up and parent/child dynamics. The musical follows a familiar Alice, with her head stuck up in the clouds, whose doting father is beginning to worry about her chaotic antics. An argument between father and daughter, and a mysterious white rabbit, send Alice tumbling into Wonderland where she meets a cast of colorful characters who each have something to teach her.
Photography by Annie Postlewaite (@photography_by_ann.ie)
Audience members opened the door to the Rosalie Theatre and immediately fell down the rabbit hole with Alice, greeted by all the most memorable iconographies of this oft dreamt of world: playing cards, roses, brightly colored, oversized plants, and all the fixings for the Mad Hatter’s tea party. The fantastical set and prop design, courtesy of Jim Landis, Christa Renfrew, and Grandis Creations, brought Wonderland front and center for all to see.
Photography by Annie Postlewaite (@photography_by_ann.ie)
When the lights dimmed, a live action film and music video featuring the original song, “Oh Alice,” directed, shot, and edited by our co-founder Jason Weissbrod, thrust us into Alice’s whimsical, musical world. “Oh Alice” is written by musician, Olivia Brazill, and produced by music director, Garth Herberg. The video also features an animation segment, courtesy of Spec Labs' student, Faith Butterfield. The “Oh, Alice” music video is now available to watch on our YouTube page! If you missed out on the show, or just want to relive the magic, check out “Oh, Alice” now at this link, or by watching the video below!
"Oh Alice" is just one of 11 original songs composed for the production. Song selections including, "Off with Her Head", "Rabbit Habit", and "Who Are You", also feature the musical and lyrical contributions of Spec Labs' Domonique Brown, Paul Christensen, and Atticus Jackson.
At the end of each show's one hour run, audiences were left with a warm, fuzzy glow, reflective of the final scene’s touching sentiments as father and daughter reunite. Immersive set design, outlandish costumes, and oversized performances brought the spectacle of Wonderland to life in such brilliant ways.
Photography by Annie Postlewaite (@photography_by_ann.ie)
The response to the show has been beyond even our wildest imaginations! We are so proud of our amazing cast and crew for all the hard work and dedication they put into the show. And a big thank you to everyone who attended; your support means everything to us!
We had such a blast putting on this show for you all and hope it won't be the last. Here's to Wonderland!
Photography by Annie Postlewaite (@photography_by_ann.ie)
"Inheriting Wonderland" was produced by Garth Herberg, Cathy McAuley, & Jason Weissbrod
Stage Direction by Cathy McAuley
A Spectrum Laboratory Production ©2024
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