Alice in Wonderland (Prince Street Players Version)
Alice finds herself in the company of a talking rabbit, a mad hatter and a vengeful queen.
Show Essentials
10
Roles
G
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

Alice is sitting on a tree stump, reading a book. The book bores her, so she puts it down to take a little nap. As she falls asleep, she dreams her way into Wonderland....

A very white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and pocket watch comes hopping by; he is in a rush and very upset that he is running late. Alice asks where he is going, and he responds that he is headed down the rabbit hole. She asks if she can join him, and he indeed takes her. They fall for what seems like forever, ending up in a hallway. Alice loses the rabbit as he rushes through a door, so she tries various others, but they are all locked. Suddenly, a table appears, upon which is a key, a bottle and a glass box. Alice tries to open the doors with the key, which fits all of the locks... but Alice is too tall to fit through any of them! The table tells her to drink from the bottle, which causes her to shrink! Now small enough to fit through the doors, she has forgotten the key on the table and is no longer tall enough to reach it. Thinking to eat the cake in the glass box, she suddenly grows large enough to reach the key!

The Rabbit comes running through again and drops his gloves and fan. She puts the gloves on, which make her shrink once again. Alice is so confused by this place that she begins to cry and suddenly finds herself in a pool of water – she has cried so much that she is going to have to swim through her own tears! As she swims, a mouse comes swimming past her. As she converses with him, a duck, a lorry and a dodo come swimming up, too. They have come to find out who Alice is. After they all introduce themselves, the birds lead Alice and the mouse ashore. They decide that the best way to dry off is to have a caucus race: a race where they form a circle and then all start and stop whenever they wish, running in any direction they choose. All of the racers win the race and reward each other with prizes – Alice gives the animals candies, and they present her with a thimble. Then, the mouse begins to tell them a story that is long and bores them all. When he realizes that they are not listening, he becomes furious. After he runs off, Alice begins to talk about her cat back at home. This frightens the birds and they scurry off, as well. Then, the rabbit comes running back in, looking for his gloves and fan. Alice gives them to him, and he runs off again.

Next, a caterpillar appears. Alice is so confused about who and where and what she is, but she figures that a caterpillar would understand since he transforms into a butterfly. He explains that he is excited about the change since only the outside will change, but he will still be the same on the inside. Alice walks off and finds the Cheshire cat sitting in a tree in the courtyard of the Duchess. The Duchess, her cook and her baby enter. Alice tastes the cook's soup and asks if there is too much pepper in it. He becomes angry with her and they all start running around, talking about too much pepper and people just minding their own business! Then, the Duchess hands the baby to Alice and tells her to care for him while she gets ready to go play croquet. Upon closer inspection, Alice realizes that the baby is really a pig. The rabbit rushes in and hands Alice a ticket to go see the show at the Palace Music Hall. The first on the bill are Flora and Dora, who are dancing daisies. Next are Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, identical twins who sing in harmony and dance. Then, the rabbit, who is the emcee, presents Alice as the next act. She is to sing the tale of the Walrus and the Carpenter. She does so with help from some of the others present. After singing, Alice is even more confused than ever, and all of the characters whom she has encountered come dancing and singing around her.

Act Two

Alice asks the rabbit where she should go next. He tells her that, in one direction, is a Hatter and, in another direction, is a March Hare. The rabbit claims that they are both mad, so she could go see either one, but Alice does not wish to see anyone who is mad. The Cheshire cat explains that everyone is mad in Wonderland before taking his leave to go see the Queen play croquet. Alice decides to go see the March Hare.

The March Hare, Mad Hatter and Dormouse are all seated together at a table. As Alice approaches, they all tell her that there is no room. Everything is mad and confusing with them. They are telling riddles to which they do not know the answers, reciting partial poems and continuously looking at watches that tell the day of the month... but not the time. Alice wonders why there are so many teacups, and they explain that it is always teatime, so they never have time to wash up. Alice gets frustrated with the tea party and leaves. The rabbit finds Alice and rushes her along to the croquet game, where the King and Queen are expecting them. They enter to find the King, Queen and Jack of Hearts, as well as three other playing cards all gathered. The Queen asks Alice who she is and why she is there. As soon as she responds, the Queen yells, "Off with her head!" The King stops her, and Alice begins to play a game of croquet. The Queen does not even allow Alice to play and declares herself the winner. When Alice tries to argue, the Queen threatens to behead her again! No matter what Alice says or does, the Queen threatens to behead her. The Queen asks Alice if she has seen the Mock Turtle. She replies that she does not even know what a mock turtle is. The Queen rushes off and says that Alice shall hear his story.

The Queen passes her off to the Gryphon and tells him to take her to the Mock Turtle. As he tells his story, the rabbit rushes in, announcing that the trial is about to begin. Everyone runs off to the courtroom. The trial, like everything in Wonderland, seems like total nonsense. All of the characters whom Alice has met are being called as witnesses and they are all displaying their madness and idiosyncrasies. As everything builds, Alice gets worked into a frenzy. She suddenly awakens and realizes that she has only been dreaming... but what a curious dream it was! The real world is a Wonderland, too. Alice is being called for supper – and she shall put too much pepper in her soup – and there are real rabbits and turtles and mice and caterpillars... and she even has a deck of playing cards with a real King and Queen.

Casting
← Back to Alice in Wonderland (TYA Collection)
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Alice
Our story's protagonist. The misunderstood, and rather sheltered, girl who ventures from her home in England to Wonderland. Begins her journey innocent and curious.
Gender: female
Age: 12 to 18
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Rabbit
Serves as Chairman of the Palace Music Hall and Herald in the Royal Court. He is mildly scatter-brained, and constantly running late.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3
1st Actress
A ballet and can-can dancer. Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, 1ST DOOR, TEAR-HOLDER, BUTTERFLY, COOK, FLORA DAISY, OYSTER PUPPETEER, LADY-IN-WAITING.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
2nd Actress
A can-can dancer. Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, 2ND DOOR, LORY, DORA DAISY, OYSTERY PUPPETEER, QUEEN OF HEARTS.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
3rd Actress
Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS AND SOLOIST, 3RD DOOR, TEAR-HOLDER, DUCHESS, MOON.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
1st Actor
A soft-shoe dancer. Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, RABBIT-HOLE, TABLE, TEAR-HOLDER, KETTLE, TWEEDLEDUM, OYSTER PUPPETEER, ACT 1 FINALE, MARCH HARE, KNAVE OF HEARTS.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
2nd Actor
A soft-shoe dancer. Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, RABBIT-HOLE, DUCK, BABY, TWEEDLEDEE, OYSTER PUPPETEER, DORMOUSE, WICKET.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
3rd Actor
A tango dancer. Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, RABBIT-HOLE, FRENCH MOUSE, PAN, SUN, MAD HATTER, WICKET, MOCK TURTLE.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
4th Actor
Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, RABBIT-HOLE, DODO, CHESHIRE CAT/TREE, CARPENTER, KING OF HEARTS.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
5th Actor
Appears on stage as the following: OPENING CHORUS, RABBIT-HOLE, TEAR-HOLDER, CATERPILLAR, WALRUS, WICKET, GRYPHON.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Full Song List
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Opening/ Down The Rabbit Hole
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Door And Tables
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Curiouser
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): How-Ja-Do
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Follow Me
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): When I Become A Butterfly
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Speak Roughly
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): The Palace Music Hall
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): The Tweedle Brothers
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Walrus And Carpenter
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): First Act Finale
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): I'm Mad, You're Mad
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Time For Tea
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Oh, What A Lovely Day
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Beautiful Soup
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): The Turtle Tango
Alice In Wonderland (TYA Collection): Act Two Finale

Show History

Founded in 1965 by Jim Eiler, The Prince Street Players, Ltd., began a new era in family theatre. Starting in a loft on Prince Street in New York City as a repertory company and then expanding rapidly to include several touring companies playing East Coast "stock" theatres and schools, their reputation quickly spread, and The Prince Street Players became a leading name in quality family theatre on Broadway and network television.

That reputation has been upheld for over thirty years as the Company performed to great acclaim, both nationally and internationally. Although no longer touring, their eleven musical shows are being performed worldwide. Scripts and scores are available to be leased for performance by schools and theatres through Music Theatre International. Each script sent out by MTI includes production notes, costume and set sketches, and a wealth of information to help each presenter produce a polished theatre event. These musicals are designed to be performed by adults or young adults for family audiences, and are considered by many to be "simply the best around."

Drama Desk Award

1971 - Most Promising Set Design, Winner (Eugene Lee)
1971 - Most Promising Set Design, Winner (Fran Newman)
1971 - Outstanding Director, Winner (Andre Gregory)
1983 - Outstanding Costume Design, Nominee (Patricia Zipprodt)

Tony® Award

1983 - Costume Design, Nominee (Patricia Zipprodt)

Billing

Adapted from the book by Lewis Carroll

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
THE PRINCE STREET PLAYERS LTD.
Production of
 
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
 
Adapted from the book by
LEWIS CARROLL
Adaptation, Book & Lyrics by
JIM EILER
Music by
JIM EILER & JEANNE BARGY

 

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK15
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE2
TYA PERFORMANCE TRACKS1

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
VIRTUAL STAGE MANAGER