Get ready to go down the rabbit hole once more as REP stages whimsical musical 'Alice in Wonderland'

A new generation of kids (and kids-at-heart) will get to go on a journey down the rabbit hole when Repertory Philippines (REP) stages the well-loved tale "Alice in Wonderland" beginning August 23 at the REP Eastwood Theater.

The timeless classic by Lewis Carroll is going to be adapted for the stage with music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman and directed by Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA) Creative Director Joy Virata and Cara Barredo.

The last time I saw this production was back in 2013 when REP was doing shows at Onstage in Greenbelt, which I wrote about as well. I'm not sure if they staged it since then but I remember how much fun and interactive that version was especially for my niece and nephew who I brought along. 

According to info from REP, this new take on the beloved story promises to whisk audiences away into a land filled with zany characters, a mad tea party, flamingo croquet, and tap-dancing playing cards. It will bring together all the colorful characters from Carroll’s cherished books, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass: the ever-curious Alice, the eccentric Mad Hatter, the frantic White Rabbit, the bumbling Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the clever Caterpillar, the melancholic Mock Turtle, the mysterious Cheshire Cat, and of course the domineering Queen of Hearts. 

This imaginative RTYA production will be a tuneful, over-the-top entertaining experience for the entire family and will feature a stellar ensemble of actors bringing these iconic characters to life. 

The role of Alice will be shared by Reese De La Vega Iso, Justine Narciso, and Cheska Quimno. 

The Queen will be played by Cara Barredo, Pinky Marquez, and Mayen Bustamante-Cadd. 

The musical’s Mad Hatter are Hans Eckstein and Gerhard Krysstopher.

The White Rabbit will be portrayed by Steven Hotchkiss and Gabo Tiongson. 

Joining them are Vino Mabalot and Jay Pangilinan as the Mock Turtle; Stephen Viñas and Sebastian Katigbak as the Cheshire Cat (a role Krysstopher will also perform); Yhuan Gatbunton and Lance Soliman as the Caterpillar; Drew Bustamante and Paul Atienza as the Tweedle Dum; Katie Bradshaw and Ornella Brianna as the Tweedle Dee; Ayam Eckstein and Jay Barrameda as the Doormouse, Kenny Isidoro and Johann Parungao as the March Hare; Karl Navato as the Dodo Bird (alternating with Pangilinan); and Vinz Castillo and Sean Nolasco as the Knave of Hearts. 

Also filling the stage with fun and laughter are the ensemble composed of Coleen Paz, Jacqui Jacinto, Jiliana Tavares, Julia Panlilio, Lucylle Tan, Monica Tulio, Tanja Santos, Astro, DJ Buban, Deo Dela Cruz, Jae Valencia, VJ Cortel, and Keith Campus. 

The creative and production team is rounded out by a team of Filipino theater professionals: Musical Director Phoebe Bitoon, Choreographer Stephen Viñas, Asst. Choreographer and Dance Captain Deo Dela Cruz, Set Designer Lawyn Cruz, Assistant Set Designers Lou Cagalingan and Kath Fernando, Costume Designers Hershee Tantiado and Phillip Domingo, Lighting Designer John Batalla, Projection Designer GA Fallarme, and Hair and Makeup Designer Johann Dela Fuente. Ayam Eckstein joins the team as the Company Manager and Patricia Gregorio as Production Manager. 

Prepare to be enchanted as REP’s Alice in Wonderland brings the maddest tea party for the whole family from August 23 to December 14 at the REP Eastwood Theater. 

How do you get to Wonderland? Get your tickets now through TicketWorld at http://bit.ly/RTYAAlice2025TW and Ticket2Me at https://bit.ly/45tNMHU for Orchestra Center or  https://www.ticket2me.net/event/22466 for Orchestra Side.

For direct ticket inquiries and showbuying opportunities, message REP's social media pages @repertoryphilippines, call 0962-6918540 or 0966-9054013, or email info@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org. 

By Dexter R. Matilla