Alice in Wonderland

Taking young children to live performances, like taking them down the cereal aisle at the supermarket, can be risky. Who knows what their reactions are going to be. You do not want your children to reveal that they carry the Philistines gene in front of the theater crowd of Marin. On the other hand, you would hope that one day they will be a part of that crowd which can sit through the unabridged version of Nicholas Nickleby without a headrest and without rapturous snoring.

The answer to their theatrical edification is entertaining entry-level shows. And, this summer, Marin Shakespeare has just the ticket: ALICE IN WONDERLAND. The cast includes many of the big names and talents in Marin theater: Darren Bridgett, Matthew Henerson, Mary Knott, George Maguire and Cat Thompson.

Most importantly, twinkling amid all the veteran stage stars, is perhaps the brightest new star to appear under the outdoor Klieg lights: Hannah Rose Kornfeld, superbly cast as the title character: Alice.

Watching young children in such ambitious, prodigious roles can be discomforting at first: as the play opens one is worried, like an over-protective parent, that something could go amiss. After two minutes of watching Miss Kornfeld take command of the stage, there is no doubt that she is up to the task and fully in control of herself and her environment. This twelve-year-old does it all: sing, dance, strut and fret, and all with crystal clarity, nuance, expressiveness, body language and enough stage presence to be up-staged by no one.

Although Charles Dodgson wrote the story with many asides to math and logic, and lots of word play, adapter-director Lesley Schisgall Currier prudently honed it into a delightful children’s play. Playful choreography by Cynthia Pepper, bright, cartoon-like costumes and colors by set designer Bruce Lackovic and costume designer Michael Berg dazzle young audiences. Close proximity audience interaction by the entire cast literally delivers the play right into the audience.

If you want your children to appreciate modes of entertainment beyond cable and the DVD player, you don’t want to miss this opportunity. For tickets, call the box office at (415) 499-4485 or visit www.marinShakespeare.org
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Jeffrey R. Smith; San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle