Alice In Wonderland opens at Ensemble Nov 28th

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) presents the return of one of its most cherished holiday musicals Alice in Wonderland, by local playwright Joseph McDonough with music and lyrics by David Kisor, playing November 28 through December 30, 2012. In the tradition of ETC’s “fractured fairytale” holiday productions, Alice in Wonderland is a modern spin on the classic fairytale by Lewis Carroll and features exuberant colorful costumes, and an updated fantastical set design that will delight audiences of all ages. ETC’s sassy version is the toe-tapping tale of a lost girl, a cool cat, a wild hare, and the original “dancing queen.” Moreover, this year’s version features several new songs along with the return of several Cincinnati’s favorite actors reprising their roles for returning and new audiences alike. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Premiere Sponsor is Macy’s.

Each season, ETC produces a magical fairy tale musical written with families in mind. As a theatre that also seeks to nurture new audiences, ETC has specifically commissioned these shows that take classic fairy tales and give them a fresh, modern spin with contemporary cultural references to make the shows’ message accessible for the next generation of arts patrons.

Following the success of recent holiday musicals, ETC has expanded its performance schedule to include over 30 chances for audiences to see this popular production. ETC will also offer a convenient show calendar for families with many weekend matinees, early 6:00 pm Sunday evening shows, and 7:00 pm evening shows throughout the holiday season. ETC’s Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers says, “What’s so great about David and Joe’s fairytale creations is that the lessons are timeless and will always appeal to and engage new audiences, especially all the children who get to explore this revamped Alice in Wonderland for the first time. Alice needs to learn a lesson and each of the show’s characters, as well as the audience, become part of her learning this lesson.”

About the Cast

Sarah M. White makes her ETC debut as Alice. Ms. White is a member of ETC’s 2012-2013 Acting Intern Company. She is a recent graduate of Ball State University’s Musical Theatre program, where some of her favorite credits include: One Flea Spare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, All in the Timing, Macbeth, Company, and Hair. She also appeared in the Downtown Dinner Theatre production of A Grand Night for Singing.

Deb G. Girdler reprises her role as the Queen of Hearts/King/Mom. She has appeared numerous times on ETC’s stage, often as the villain in the holiday shows. Her ETC credits include the evil fairy Wisteria in Sleeping Beauty, The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Betty in the smash hit The Great American Trailer Park Musical, as well as Old Bones in The Frog Princess. Ms. Girdler has appeared at the Olney Theatre as the Fairy Godmother in the now official version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as well as in La Cage Aux Folles at the Gateway Playhouse in New Jersey. A CCM graduate, she began her career on the Showboat Majestic and has worked off-Broadway, in regional theatre, and in summer stock for over 30 years.

Michael G. Bath (White Rabbit) returns to ETC’s stage, having most recently appeared in ETC’s productions of Snow White, Next Fall, Cinderella, Becky’s New Car and My Name is Asher Lev. Other regional credits include Superior Donuts with The Clifton Players and Angels in America at Know Theatre. Mr. Bath has also performed with Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, the Performance Gallery, Showboat Majestic, and Stage First Cincinnati.

 Shannon Rae Lutz (Mad Hatter) first performed on ETC’s stage in the 1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she joined the Acting Intern Company. She has been seen on ETC’s mainstage in Fiction, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Chronicles of Plague, A School for Scandal, Cinderella (1992), Zorro, Poor Super Man, The Frog Princess (1997, 2002), Sleeping Beauty (2000, 2009) and Alice in Wonderland (1998, 2003, 2008).  A CCM graduate, she earned her M.F.A. in Theatre Performance in 1996.

Torie Wiggins (March Hare) makes her mainstage ETC debut with this production. She co-adapted and performed her one-woman show, Your Negro Tour Guide at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, as well as other venues in Cincinnati and across the country. She has appeared on All My Children and the feature film Love Me Through It. Her Know Theatre of Cincinnati credits include Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party, Collapse, Afghan Women Writer’s Project, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. She was recently seen in To Kill A Mockingbird at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

Jared D. Doren (Mock Turtle) was a member of the 1995-1996 ETC Acting Intern Company. His ETC credits include: Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Princess, Alice in Wonderland, A Question of Mercy, as well as the stage readings of The Laramie Project:  Ten Years Later (An Epilogue), Campaign, The Musical and Anne of Green Gables, The Musical. Mr. Doren’s other local performance credits include The Baker’s Wife in Concert (Carnegie Arts Center), Of Mice and Men (Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati) and 1776 (Downtown Theatre Classics). This spring, he will direct And Then There Were None with Falcon Theatre.

 Kate Wilford (Dormouse) has been seen in ETC’s productions of Snow White, Becky’s New Car and Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and the world premieres of Don’t Make Me Pull This Show Over and Keeping The Faith. Her other ETC credits include Women Of Lockerbie, Wayfarer’s Rest, and Death Defying Acts. Her Cincinnati Shakespeare Company credits include Bedroom Farce, The Cherry Orchard, Romeo And Juliet, and All My Sons. Ms. Wilford also appeared as Linda Lohman in New Edgecliff’s Death Of A Salesman, which earned her both a CEA and an Acclaim Award for best leading actress.

Buz Davis (Tweedledum) has appeared in three previous holiday shows at ETC: last season in Snow White as the Jester in Jack In The Beanstalk, and a one-night performance as the Czar in The Frog Princess. His other ETC credits include: A Package Deal, A Slice of Buffalo, a Peace of Paris, Buckminster Fuller: In and Out of Universe and Mauritius. Mr. Davis’ other regional credits include Superior Donuts with The Clifton Players, All’s Well That Ends Well with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The History Boys with New Stage Collective, among others.

Sara Mackie (Cheshire Cat) recently was seen on ETC’s stage in Snow White, Winter Wonderettes, 25 The Musical, Cinderella, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Sleeping Beauty, Mauritius, and Alice in Wonderland. This spring, she will return to reprise her role as Betty Jean in Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns. Her other credits include Linoleum in the uproarious The Great American Trailer Park Musical as well as the role of Izzy in Rabbit Hole. A graduate of Wright State University, she has previously performed on this stage in Ugly Duck, Cinderella, Cripple of Inishmaan, A Sense of Place, War Games, Sleeping Beauty, and Around the World in 80 Days.

Ken Early (Caterpillar/Butterfly), Tess Talbot (Tweedledee), Andrew Maloney (Card 5), and Acting Interns Nick Tsangaris (Card 7) and Spenser Smith (Card 2), round out the ensemble cast.

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Set Designer), Aaron Clements (Technical Operations Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Lighting Designer, Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Chuck Hatcher (Sound Designer), Scot Woolley (Musical Director), Dee Anne Bryll (Choreographer) and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon Holmes.

 Ticket Prices

Tickets are $38 for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances.

Tickets are $42 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances.

Children’s tickets (ages 12 and under) are $16 for all performances.

Current subscribers receive $5 off each ticket.

For the 2012-2013 season, ETC will continue its popular half-price rush tickets and $15 student rush tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time. Tickets and seating subject to availability.

Performance Schedule

Runs Nov 28-Dec 30. 7:00 p.m. performances Fri.; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. performances Sat. and select weeknights; 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. 2:00 p.m. only performance on Dec. 30. No performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A complete calendar is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. 

Other Single Ticket Discounts

Military/Educator, Public Radio Perks Card, ArtsWave FunCard, AAA, Senior and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards, Over-the-Rhine Merchant gift cards, and Downtown Cincinnati gift cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.