If this makes me sound like a clueless theater philistine or a hopeless cheerleader for the Broadway Genesis Project, so be it. But I suspect I’m not alone. I really enjoyed “Wonderland” when it debuted at the Straz. Heavy on the well-earned bravos.
Much, of course, was made of the need for “book tweaking” and fleshing out the storyline. It’s part of the process. I get that. But this was “Alice in Wonderland” not “Go Ask Alice.” However imperfect, “Wonderland” was–and I trust still is–upbeat and uplifting. Well-acted, well-costumed, well-choreographed. With well-integrated high-tech components. A visual feast. Quality escapist fun.
Now the Broadway critics have weighed in.
“Witless chaos,” according to David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter. A “benumbing show,” says Andy Propst of Theatermania. “A gloppy mess,” scoffs David Sheward of Backstage. “Less than scintillating,” sniffs David Suskin of Variety. And so on.
Well, one more quote. This one from Edward Albee: “If Attila the Hun were alive today, he’d be a dramatic critic.”