Berkeley Playhouse Opens DISNEY'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR, 5/31

Berkeley Playhouse presents its next KidStage production, DISNEY'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. Based on the 1951 Disney film "Alice in Wonderland," and the novels "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll, this madcap musical follows young Alice down the rabbit hole into a wonderland of adventure as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, goes to the craziest tea party ever, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. Featuring familiar songs from the original animated Disney classic, including "The Unbirthday Song," "I'm Late," and "Painting the Roses Red," along with additional sing-along gems like "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. is a musical feast for the entire family.

Berkeley Playhouse Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy (The Sound of Music, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Peter Pan) and Rachel Robinson (Boxcar Theatre, Willows Theatre Company, Peter Pan, Jr. at Berkley Playhouse) direct two separate youth casts, featuring 50 Berkeley Playhouse KidStage students, in this modern take on growing up and grappling with the adult world.

Berkeley Playhouse believes that kids and teens have the ability to command their own audiences. The company's acclaimed KidStage program gives talented students the opportunity to participate in full-scale youth-only productions of the highest quality with some of the best professional directors, choreographers, and designers in the Bay Area. Cast members of KidStage productions receive ongoing training in acting, voice, and movement.

Berkeley Playhouse was founded by actor, director, and teacher for over 20 years, Elizabeth McKoy. Under the artistic guidance of McKoy, and Managing Director Lauren Hewitt, Berkeley Playhouse is a professional theater for all ages that presents a season of year-round musicals, providing children and families with unique and sophisticated musical theater experiences. In addition, Berkeley Playhouse has a music theater conservatory, which offers a range of educational instruction classes in music performance skills. In 2009, Berkeley Playhouse made its permanent performance home at the historic Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

DATES:

Directed by Elizabeth McKoy - May 31 - June 4: Fri 5pm, Sat. 7pm, Sun. 12pm, Mon. 7pm

Directed by Rachel Robinson - May 31 - June 4: Fri. 7:30pm, Sat. 2pm, Sun. 5pm, Tues. 7pm

WHERE: Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Avenue, Berkeley

TICKETS: For tickets ($20 Adults, $15 Youth) and more information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351