Adapting Alice in Wonderland

Oz books have a quest structure that lends itself to adaptation. Wonderland books do not. Walt Disney managed to give Alice a small arc and some introspective ballads but the film was criticized for a "lack of heart." Recent musical adaptations have taken great liberties to give Alice a goal and an antagonist.

1985's Alice is pursued by a terrifying Godzilla-like Jabberwocky... and meets an equally terrifying Carol Channing.

2011's Wonderland ages Alice up to explore adult neuroses. Why is her inner child represented as a  dominatrix? Well she's got some issues.

2015's wonder.land sets the whole thing in cyberspace as a group of teens use their online avatars to cope with their anxiety's. Some critics found it brilliant while others found it incomprehensible. 

TV, films and video games have since turned Wonderland's characters into figures of fun, action and horror. Who's your favorite Alice?

Pride Series pt 2

Last summer I devoted a week to posting about musicals with GLBT themes and characters. This summer my schedule is less accommodating but I'm putting up a quick sketch of four more. It's an interesting combination as we have two angsty, unrequited romances and two label-bending romantic farces.

If you haven't gotten around to seeing Julie Andrews perform Le Jazz Hot you'll want to click here.

Jekyll and Hyde

Jekyll and Hyde, like 80's slasher movies, eases you in by killing off a string of unsympathetic characters (The Board of Governors) before putting the leading ladies (Spunky fiancee and heart-of-gold prostitute)  in danger.

Being in the chorus of Jekyll and Hyde is rather thankless. The Governors lost their comic song "Bitch Bitch Bitch" in early drafts, the Act Two opener "Murder Murder" is nobody's favorite and most of your efforts go into the FIVE renditions of the song "Facade."

There's a face that we wear
In the cold light of day -
It's society's mask,
It's society's way,
And the truth is
That it's all a facade!

Get it! We're all Jekyll and Hyde! You don't see it? Don't worry, we'll sing it again!