July 2010 Theatre Review by Chris Arnold
Lookingglass Alice
I saw "Lookingglass Alice" three years ago, and liked (but did not love) it. However, I am happy to say that like fine wine this production has gotten better with age. Thanks to Disney and a variety of made for TV movies "Alice In Wonderland" is a fairly well known plot. Adapted by Lookingglass Ensemble Member David Caitlin from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" the play explores the duality of the fictional Alice and her author Lewis Carroll.
Alice is sucked into Wonderland, and has to meet a variety of eccentric characters in order to eventually become a Queen. Her step-by-step journey (think Chess) includes encounters with a tyrannical Red Queen, a time obsessed rabbit, the hyper active duo Tweedle Dee & Dum, amongst others. Through her journey Alice learns the ups and downs of making the transition from youth to adulthood.
"Lookingglass
Alice" works because there is something for everyone,
regardless of age or gender. The writing is clever, and to say
the production values are top-notch would be an understatement.
The design concept is fairly barebones, but pitch perfect when
used. However, the theatrical magic is brought to life by the
energetic and committed ensemble. The ability to combine
acrobatics while believably playing a variety of characters is not an
easy task.
Everyone in the ensemble was fantastic, but I must give special kudos to Molly Brennan and Anthony Fleming III for going above and beyond. How these two do multiple shows a day is a mystery to me. "Lookingglass Alice" is produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium, and this air tight collaboration added a wonderful layer with playful circus tricks. However, I wish there could have been more physical storytelling (a la "Hephestus"). At the same time I must commend Kevin Douglass for performing a trick, which made my heart stop for a second.
This is the fourth year for "Lookingglass Alice", and is a wonderful yearly tradition. A wonderful story deftly told, and it is apparent everyone involved is having loads of fun. I highly recommend this play if you have a child, or an inner child. If you have yet to see this production make a point to do so. If you have already seen it, go back and see what you notice differently this time around.
"Lookingglass Alice" plays through September 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 3 PM, Thursday matinee at 3 pm. The running time is 90 minutes with no Intermission. Tickets are $28-$64. Call 312-337-0665. For more information on this show, please visit the Theatre In Chicago Lookingglass Alice page.
About Chris Arnold
Chris
Arnold has been in Chicago for seven years where he has directed for
Act One Studios, the side project, Bailiwick, Illinois Theatre
Center, LiveWire Theater, and Diamante Productions, amongst
others. For three years he was a company member with Circle
Theatre, and directed the Jeff Recommended productions "Escanaba
in Love" and "Boy". He also directed "A
Midsummer Night's Dream" with Circle Theatre Youth
Ensemble. He is the former Associate Artistic Director for
Thunder & Lightning Ensemble where he directed "Jack Goes
Boating," "Red Light Winter" (Named one of the top
five memorable productions by a smaller troupe: New City 2008), and
"Earl the Vampire".
Chris has interned at Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre. While at the Goodman he had the opportunity to serve as the Script Manager for the world premiere of "Blue Surge" by Rebecca Gilman. When not directing Chris teaches in the Literature & Theatre Department(s) at The Chicago Academy for the Arts, where he has directed "Doubt" and "The Pillowman". He writes for Chicagocritic.com, and is a member of the Artistic/Technical Team for the Jeff Committee. Spring 2010 Chris will be a Teaching Artists with American Theatre Company as part of their American Mosaic Program. He holds an MFA in Directing (with a focus in Critical Studies) from The University of Memphis.