Judy Lisi, president of the Straz Center, doesn’t typically traffic in baseball metaphors. But she acknowledges Straz’s made-in-Tampa musical Wonderland is now rounding “third base”–as it heads for Broadway next season.
Now called Wonderland: A New Alice. A New Musical Adventure, the show had successful runs in Tampa and Houston, followed by upgrading revisions and “tweaks.” It will open in New York next April at one of the Nederlander chain theaters. Prior to that, it will return to the Straz for a two-week run of previews Jan. 4-16.
“Broadway theaters are in such demand right now,” explains Lisi. “There’s a backlog of 30 shows that can’t get a theater. Just getting there is reaching third base. But we obviously want the home run. It has validated (through Straz’s home-grown Broadway Genesis Project) what we’re trying to do. The Nederlander organization believes in it so much, it is partnering with us.”
In order for Wonderland to hit that homer, it will need a successful Broadway run, underscores Lisi. “Making it to Broadway is obviously big,” notes Lisi, “but once you’re there, you either make it or you don’t. It needs to play for at least a year or two for any kind of (investor) return.” Future scenarios could entail touring (the Straz has worldwide rights) and even a movie.
“If this does well, our vision of other producers bringing their work here can be realized,” says Lisi. “Plus it’s a great thing for Tampa. We get visitors from all over. It further positions Tampa as a place with a vital arts scene. Nothing makes a reputation like getting one of your own to Broadway.”
And one other subplot. If Wonderland enjoys Broadway success, it could still be running and attracting national acclaim when the Republican convention comes to town in 2012. And, yes, the Straz Center is likely to be front and center as a major event venue. But, no, don’t look for a reprise of Oh! Calcutta! or a customized version of It’s A Mad, Mad GOP World to be playing at Ferguson Theatre in late August of 2012.