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Lookingglass Alice
Based on the novels of Lewis Carroll
Adapted and Directed by David Catlin
Produced by Lookingglass Theatre Company in association with The Actors Gymnasium
Lookingglass Theatre at Chicago Water Tower Water Works
821 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 312-337-0665 or www.lookingglasstheatre.org, $30-$58
Wed-Sat at 7:30 p.m.; matinees Thu, Sat & Sun at 3:00 (except 7/31)
Running time is 1 hour 40 minutes with no intermission
Through Sept. 7, 2008
Simply the Best Alice Ever
Lookingglass Theatre’s wildly popular “Lookingglass Alice” returns to their historic Water Tower Water Works home for the third time in four years. The two earlier runs were both extended and played throughout to sold-out houses with good reason: This is simply the best Alice you will ever see. Artistic Director David Catlin puts the daring, physical stamp of this popular company on one of the best loved children’s works of all time and the result is superb theatre that captivates audiences of all ages.
 
The delightful Lauren Hirte reprises the high-flying role of Alice for a sixth time (the company has mounted several successful East Coast tours). Her aerial acrobatics are breathtaking and the performance is as fresh as can be. Jesse Perez, as the Red Queen, is a standout among the all-Equity cast that features Kevin Douglass (White Rabbit, Caterpillar, Mad Hatter), Anthony Fleming III (Tweedle Dee, March Hare, Cheshire Cat), and Lawrence DiStasi (White Knight, White Queen). All of the cast members have appeared in previous runs of “Lookingglass Alice,” so it’s no surprise that the extremely difficult stunt work of this incredibly creative production is executed with absolute precision. The circus work adds a wonderful dimension to Carroll’s fantasy non-sense as “Lookingglass Alice” transports rapt audiences down their own rabbit hole into a world that is as incredible for them as it is for Alice.
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The technical design of “Lookingglass Alice” is superb. Everything from the river of tears to White Queen’s de-ageing are done with a creative flair that few companies can pull off and which have become signature at Lookingglass. Ditto for the wonderful costumes of Mara Blumenfeld, Alison Siple and Lijana Wallenda-Hernandez, as well as for DiStasi’s beautiful choreography (especially the trio of acrobatic actors who comprise the caterpillar). “Lookingglass Alice” is a Chicago theatre treasure that deserves the universal high praise that has been steadily heaped upon it. You will find no more thoroughly entertaining show in town this summer. This is a must see for the entire family. There were quite a few really young children in the audience the night I saw it and their “ooos” and innocent exclamations actually added to the excitement of the show. Take the kids if you have them or borrow the neighbors’ kids if you don’t. This is a show they will always remember.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for commnets
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2008
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