Wonderland [Cast Recording]

Frank Wildhorn, Wonderland | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 3, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: SONY MASTERWORKS
• ASIN: B004RV6ZW0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,703 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Discover WONDERLAND, an exciting new spin on the classic story of Alice and her Looking-Glass World! This exhilarating new Broadway musical features a fresh, contemporary pop score from Frank Wildhorn, the creator of Jekyll & Hyde. WONDERLAND is about a modern-day woman who goes on a life-changing adventure far below the streets of New York City, where a marvelous cast of familiar characters help her rediscover what's really important. WONDERLAND arrives on Broadway this spring, following a sold-out, two-city national premiere, and is destined to capture the attention of theater-goers and families who have enjoyed shows like Wicked, Billy Elliott and Mary Poppins. The cast includes Janet Dacal (In the Heights) as Alice, Darren Ritchie (Les Misérables) as The White Knight, Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde) as The Mad Hatter, Jose Llana (Spelling Bee) as El Gato and Karen Mason (Hairspray) as The Queen of Hearts.
Frank Wildhorn became the first American composer in twenty-two years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway in 1999: Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Civil War. From 1994 to 2003, Wildhorn ran Atlantic Theatre, the division he created at Atlantic Records with Ahmet Ertegan, Doug Morris, and Craig Kallman. He produced Harlem Song, the first open-ended theatrical run at the famed Apollo Theater. His music enjoys a special relationship with the sports world and has been recently heard at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and every Olympics since 1998, in addition to Super Bowls, The World Series, World Cup Soccer and other major sporting events.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderland is Almost Great... May 13, 2011

By Shakesepare Cow

Format:Audio CD

There was an earlier recording for this musical which was billed as the concept recording. I like them both and have not seen the musical however, I actually prefer the concept recording which is available on iTunes. You always have to wonder if you like things better because it was what you originally processed but I have let this simmer for a week now, and I just have to assume the 'changes' were made to make a better stage production, but I am doubtful it made a better recording. Who knows, I might feel differently down the road.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Catchy songs and a heart-warming story September 25, 2011

By Meredith L. Burton

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Wonderland" is a wonderfully endearing musical with many unforgettable songs. Although I'm not a fan of Lewis Caroll's novel, the premise of this show was truly engaging.

Alice is a young woman who lives in New York City with her ten-year-old daughter, Chloe. She and her husband, Jack, are separated as Alice tries to decide where her life is going. Unhappy with her job as a middle school English teacher, and having received a rejection letter from a publisher for her first children's book, she does not know where to turn. An encounter with a strange White Rabbit catapults her into a land underground where a malevolent Mad Hatter seeks to gain full control. When her daughter is captured, Alice must save herself and Wonderland's citizens. With the help of the rabbit, a valiant White Knight and other friends, she learns lessons about herself and faces her greatest enemy.

I am surprised that this show closed so quickly. Yes, some of the plot elements can be construed as "corny" or farfetched, but the wonderful pop score is filled with unforgettable songs. The singing is superb, and my favorite songs are as follows:

1. Home: Chloe sings about how she wishes things were back to normal in her family. Very melodic and sweet.
2. "One Knight": Alice meets the White Knight, who expresses his undying loyalty and steadfast love.
3. "I Will Prevail": By far the best song, this is a triumphant exultation by The Mad Hatter as she calculatingly makes plans to destroy Alice. A chilling song about evil's power.
4. "Once More I Can See": Alice sings about her childhood memories.
5. "Off with Their Heads": A hilareous song by the Queen of Hearts as she delights in her signature phrase.
6. "Together": The Knight, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, and Rabbit sing of their strength as they prepare to help Alice.

All the singers on this album are wonderful. Janet Dacal brings wonder, sadness, and hope to her portrayal as Alice. Kate Shindle steals the show as the gleefully evil Mad Hatter. Darren Ritchie is wonderful as the White Knight. The other cast members are equally fantastic.

Please give this album a chance. I'm glad musicals are coming out that are family oriented and that have villainnesses in them. It's neat to hear the "bad girls" shine! Now, all we need is a musical based on the Narnia books. God bless you all.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated show of the year ! June 28, 2011

By Nycpapito

Format:MP3 Music

I saw this show the week before it closed. I think it closed because it got shut out of the Tony Nominations- but what do they know, this musical was a delight and it could have found some legs if it stuck around until the summer. The album is just as vivid as the show with Dacal's smooth and soulful Alice, her voice is amazing in every song and you feel her heartbreak and her joy. Darren Ritchie is a hunk and his appeal radiates through his songs. Mason is also vibrant in her two numbers and I could feel her egging the audience to applaud while she holds a long note in Off with their heads. My favorite track is Kate's I will Prevail- it should be remixed and released as a single, it has all the elements of a good club track. Overall, I hope this show finds its way to a wider audience, either through film or as a revival, its definitely worth seeing and the songs will take you away to wonderland.