Wonderland: Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts

Rock Our Differences: Empowered Theater & Arts Brings Rock & Roll Magic to Wonderland

PHOENIX, AZ – This season, the desert is about to get a lot "curiouser and curiouser" as Empowered Theater & Arts (ETA) prepares to take the stage with a high-octane, professional-scale production of Wonderland: Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure. This isn’t the Victorian tea party you remember—it’s a live rock concert meets theatrical journey of self-actualization that proves "it’s not impossible if you believe".

Changing the World Through Accessible Arts

Founded by Executive Director LaRiche Lamar, a seasoned performer and leader with over 20 years of experience, Empowered Theater & Arts is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) non-profit on a mission to "clear the path to creative expression and equitable opportunity". ETA is built on the belief that "the artistic abilities of people with disabilities are celebrated as a vibrant and integral part of humanity".

The company specifically champions artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)—including those living with autism, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and more—providing them a professional platform to showcase their brilliance. As Lamar notes, "The world needs to know the brilliance of these artists... when artists with disabilities are given a chance, their artistry can change the world".

A Wonderland Reimagined

In this "vibrant, live rock" reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classics, Alice doesn't just tumble down a rabbit hole—she falls into a "battle of the bands" where the stakes are her own inner voice. With a book by Rachel Rockwell and music by Michael Mahler, the production features a high-energy soundtrack that turns familiar characters into guitar-toting icons:

• Alice navigates a whimsical landscape, searching for her identity while performing powerful anthems.

• The Cheshire Cat and Caterpillar serve as rock-and-roll mentors.

• The Queen of Hearts reigns as a "vicious diva" in red leather, threatening to "lop off heads" in a clash of musical styles.

• The Jabberwock, a many-headed monster, serves as the ultimate embodiment of Alice’s fears and insecurities, leading to a climactic musical showdown.

Professional Excellence and Inclusion

True to ETA’s commitment to excellence, this is a full-scale production. The authors’ original vision for the piece encourages "actor-musicians" where "instruments are an extension of character". For the artists of ETA, this means mastering complex choreography, vocal harmonies, and the technical demands of a 75-minute rock musical.

"At Empowered Theater & Arts, our values are the cornerstone of our mission," the organization states. "We honor the inherent worth of every individual through Dignity... ensuring that each person is respected and valued". By putting these artists center stage in a professional venue like TheaterWorks, ETA is not just putting on a show—they are "amplifying the diverse artistic voices and talents of people with disabilities" and challenging society’s perceptions.

Join the Adventure

Don’t miss this chance to take a "permanent vacation from the boring and the bland". Join Alice and the ensemble for a performance that promises to be as inspiring as it is loud.

• What: Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure

• Where: @TheaterWorks in Peoria (10580 N 83rd Dr, Peoria, AZ 85345)

• When: Friday, May 8th at 7:00 PM

• Tickets & Info: Visit GoETA.org to purchase tickets or learn more about how you can support their mission through donations and the "Dream-Maker" program.

As the cast sings in the finale: "Believe in the impossible... who knows what wonders you’ll achieve". Come see those wonders for yourself this May!