My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

The Courthouse Center for the Arts Presents UNDERLAND, 8/7-17

By:

The Courthouse Center for the Arts, located in the historic Washington County Courthouse in West Kingston, RI is proud to present their production of "UNDERLAND"a musical by best selling author Jodi Picoult and her son James Van Leer with music by Ellen Wilber. Performances are August 7th - August 17th on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00.

Bringing Underland and its music to life are Courthouse Production Coordinator , Loraine Lesniak, as producer, Director John Faiola and Musical Director Philip Martorella and Gladys Cole as Choreographer. Ms. Lesniak is ,a driving force at the Courthouse and is collaborating with Mr. Faiola and Mr. Martorella for the first time. Mr. Failoa is an area actor making his directorial debut, and Mr. Martorella is a Julliard graduate who currently works in the Rhode Island College music department as well as the RI Philharmonic.

Underland is proudly sponsored by Finn's Harbourside in East Greenwich, RI.

The cast is a lively and very talented ensemble of children from all over Southern New England and under the direction of John Faiola bring great energy to this production.

In Underland, Picout and Van Leer take on subjects facing kids every day: bullying, being different and not fitting in. The story begins at a jr. high school science fair where we meet Clara, who feels like the 'odd-girl out' and is teased for being different by the boy she adores, Alex. In a twist on Alice in Wonderland, Alex shrinks to the size of a small bug and finds himself in Underland, where talking insects are ruled by a domineering Queen Bee who cares little for the bugs she governs. We see how Alex is now treated by the other insects because he is different. Alex is now the 'odd-boy out' until he finds a friend in Anthony, the Queen's Captain of the army ants. Eager to return to his 'large' life and change his former ways, Alex, together with Anthony, devise a plan to escape Underland by playing in the Queen's life and death Spelling Bee. Will they make it? Can Alex convince Clara he has changed? Come see this smart, funny and engaging musical to find out!

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Off-Broadway Play - Top 3
1. A Christmas Carol (Thorne Adaptation) - PAC NYC
7.8% of votes
2. Prince F****t - Playwrights Horizons
5.8% of votes
3. Andre De Shields is Tartuffe - House of the Redeemer
4.4% of votes

Don't Miss a Rhode Island News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Bell, Book and Candle in Rhode Island Bell, Book and Candle
The Arctic Playhouse (8/27-9/13)
FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: The GroovaLottos  in Rhode Island FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: The GroovaLottos
Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn (7/24-7/24)
Disney's The Little Mermaid in Rhode Island Disney's The Little Mermaid
The Assembly Theatre (6/05-6/13)
The Hope of Loving: Music for Chorus, String Quartet, and Piano in Rhode Island The Hope of Loving: Music for Chorus, String Quartet, and Piano
Saint Mary of the Bay (5/30-5/30)
Almost, Maine in Rhode Island Almost, Maine
The Arctic Playhouse (11/05-11/22)
Newport Comedy Series in Rhode Island Newport Comedy Series
Newport Elks Lodge #104 (6/06-6/06)
The Hope of Loving: Music for Chorus, String Quartet, and Piano in Rhode Island The Hope of Loving: Music for Chorus, String Quartet, and Piano
Grace Episcopal Church (5/31-5/31)
FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: Pedro Pastor  in Rhode Island FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: Pedro Pastor
195 District Park (8/14-8/14)
Love! Valour! Compassion! in Rhode Island Love! Valour! Compassion!
The Firebarn: Little Theatre of Fall River (6/17-6/27)
Boeing Boeing in Rhode Island Boeing Boeing
Attleboro Community Theatre (5/22-6/07)