The Milwaukee Post

June 24, 2016 • Milwaukee County Post • 15 'Wonderland' offers unique perspective on classic By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic When Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, under the pen name of Lewis Carroll, wrote "Alice in Wonderland" in 1865, I doubt if he would have envisioned his imagina- tive fantasy living on for 150 years and being adapted into films, plays and musicals countless times. His some- what absurd nonsensical work, populated with anthropomorphic creatures has also popularized the phrase "rabbit hole," which has come to mean a period of chaos and confusion and is sometimes even interpreted as a "trip" on hallucinogenic drugs. Ryan Albrechtson, a recent Carroll University graduate and the founder of Outskirts Theatre Company, directed and wrote this very unusual and dark version of this classic tale. Alice, well-played by Madeline Conway, finds her- self bored with the book she is reading. She complains that it has no pictures. She is having a conversation with her beloved cat when a large white rabbit runs by saying that he is rushing because he is late. This talking rabbit introduces a round of very strange happenings for Alice. She is certainly no longer bored. Nor are we, not for a minute. After being captured and given shock treatments, Alice finds herself lost and wanting to go home. The fantasy she had dreamed of was not as anticipated. However, Rabbit (Matthew Cornale) comes to her rescue and invites her into his world, which in many ways is a very dangerous one with its share of sadists. He also tries to protect her from it. The Queen of Hearts (Gemma Fitzsimmons) and her robotic, obedient hench- men (Tim Albrectson and Kenn Conway) carry out her cruel orders without com- plaint. She even orders Rabbit to steal the Duchess' newborn to enlist him into her army of slaves. The poor Duchess (Alyssa Falvey) pays for her lack of cooperation, alas. Another strange creature is the Mad Hatter, ominously rendered by Sam Sherman, who is shooting up with heroin and taking advantage of his slave Hare (Rebecca Switalski) and his new guest Alice. His wild-eyed look was significantly creepy. At this point, Alice's prospects for escape seem quite slim. However, along the way, Alice also meets some more sympathetic characters, such as Caterpillar, a woman who has been abused but remains strong and support- ive of Alice's plight. Erin Richards gives us a fine por- trayal in this role. She and Rabbit provide Alice with some hope and stability, which she is sorely in need of. However, despite her "lit- tle girl" look, Conway exudes a lot of spunk as Alice. Two other very engaging creatures include the Cheshire Cat, the star in a very talented cast (Dylan Brown), and Tweedles, played by the same actor who played Hare. Her gymnastic skill added to her perform- ance. Brown moves very stealthily and remains a mystery throughout. He is absolutely fascinating to watch. The costuming is very creative (Cecelia Mason- Kuenn and Kaitlyn Chao) and the overall direction by the playwright was consum- mately executed. The whole event is quite an experience. Though this is a very dark adaption of Carroll's absur- dist fantasy, it has its moments that parallel the world we live in, including its violence, its dependence on drugs and its allusions to those who use and abuse oth- ers. Most children's stories have lessons to be learned by children and adults. This one is no exception. Check out this unusual venue, the Underground Collaborative. It is a space replete with avant garde art and an air of anticipation. It is used by many small the- ater groups and features an eclectic mix of other artistic and educational events. "Wonderland" runs in the Underground Collaborative in the Grand Avenue Mall at 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee for one more weekend with performances at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday and at 3:00 on Sunday. Call 414-367-6484 or v i s i t www.outskirtstheatre.org/ti ckets. Submitted photo Alyssa Falvey (Duchess), left, and Conway perform a scene during during their performance in the play "Wonderland." ENTERTAINMENT Play is dark portrayal of book Actresses Madeline Conway (Alice), left, and Erin Richards (Caterpillar), right, act out a scene during their performance in the play "Wonderland." Submitted photo Gemma Fitzsimmons (Queen of Hearts), left, and Kenn Conway (5 of Spades), right, act out a scene dur- ing their performance in the play "Wonderland." Submitted photo

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