On the heels of the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance will present an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by Eva Le Gallienne and Florida Friebus. Performances will be held in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre, and will run April 15-17 and 19-23.
Inspired by the success of Peter Pan and its appeal to both adults and children, Le Gallienne and Friebus wanted to create a production of Alice in Wonderland that was true to Carroll’s words and made the book come to life. Speaking to the New York Times in 1982, Le Gallienne said that Alice in Wonderland was relevant in the early 80s, and it still is today. According to Le Gallienne, “It’s extraordinary how much of it is very much of today. Think of the upside-down math, the chopped-up logic.” Or as the Cheshire Cat says, “We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” “How do you know that I’m mad?” says Alice. “You must be,” says the Cheshire Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Alice in Wonderland will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on April 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. There will also be a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 17.
For tickets or information, contact the College of Fine Arts Box Office, located in the Center for the Performing Arts, open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays, at (309) 438-2535, or purchase tickets online by visiting ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Performance parking is available for free in the School Street Parking Deck, 400 W. Beaufort St., Normal.
