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 (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,768 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. Read more ›

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Alice Flops On B'way December 8, 2012

By Billy Bobb

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Poor Frank Wildhorne. The critics had a field day. Those who saw it loved it including my friends. Big in every way ..sets, costumes and a fun score. dancing Queen of Hearts and her card chorus a riot of color and costumes. The cast works so hard to standing ovations. Not everything worked on stage but that is just me. I love Mr. Wildhorne's music. Give it a spin. Certainly not the monster the wicked critics said it was .If you can , go and enjoy it in Tokyo where it is now playing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Told Too Many Times March 30, 2012

By Tom George

Format:Audio CD

Is anyone else as tired of Alice in Wonderland being dragged out and rehashed as many times as it is, as I am? I remember reading it when I was younger and not being impressed then. Never cared for any version, including Disney's cartoon that many claim to be a masterpiece. I just find Carroll's story dated, dull, and just plain strange. (wasn't Carroll on opium when he wrote it?) The score here has a couple catchy tunes but can't muster new life into a tired old story. And another musicalized version is alledegedly on the way from London. Please let it rest!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite an Enjoyable CD December 2, 2011

By S. Kistler

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you've seen Wonderland on stage, you might have been less than impressed with the corny story, lame jokes and what some have indicated is a poor execution of the creative team's vision. Perhaps there were too many "cooks in the kitchen" while putting the show together? Or, perhaps the show was rushed to Broadway before its true potential could be found?

In any case, what's included on the OBC recording of the show is a delight! If you knew nothing of the show but had been told it's the biggest thing since Wicked, you might be inclined to believe it after listening to this CD. Great sound, catchy music, top-notch performances.

Janet Decal is in great voice as Alice, but as the star, she could use some more material throughout the first half of the show. Kate Shindle - as the Mad Hatter - steals the spotlight with her huge anthem, "I Will Prevail". It's fun and sinister all at the same time. The girl who plays Chloe, Alice's daughter, is also incredible - especially when you learn she was only 11 years old when the CD was recorded.

Put into context and seeing it done live, the boy-band number, "One Knight" is a huge highlight of the show. Absolutely hilarious! Without that knowledge though, you may hate this track on the CD.

While the song "Heroes" is included on the CD, it was dropped from the Broadway show. Why? I have no idea. It's a sweet, stellar song. One of my favorite tracks.

Other standout songs include "Home", "I am My Own Invention", "Off With Their Heads", "Once More I Can See" "Together" and the finale, "Finding Wonderland".

I am very hopeful the original creative team can regroup and reimagine the stage show so that a touring production can live up to the potential of which the OBC CD gives many glimpses.