Wonderland

"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.

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.

The composer of the music took great pains to mimic the musical styles of musicians like Santana, Nsync or any of a number of boy bands of the 80s and even his own previous production of Jekyll & Hyde that it is hard to miss. The production values are uneven with some of the tracks over modulated so that you have to crank the volume down...note to producers..making it louder does not make it better. Some clever references to Wizard of Oz in one of the numbers. A few good show-tunes...so it is easy to see that people could like the production and also understand why the show failed on Broadway.If you missed the show on Broadway like I did you can get an idea of the production...for the musical theater enthusiast.

To the broadway critiques who got this show cancelled, all I can say is "off with their heads"! If you know, you know!

I first heard of this musical was three years ago only at that there album was the concept recording in 2009i wanted to buy it but i couldn't find it anywhere until it was too late.So after i heard there was a broadway recording being release of wildhorn's show i brought it.i thought it was the best show of this year seeing the musicals are getting trashy now. I loved it orinality of different musical styles but did anyone apperatted it...No! the tony awards snubbed it gave no awards & gave it to the most tasteless comeracail musicals.So the show closed may 5 2011.

Enjoyed this score was fortunate enough to have gotten to see that Broadway Musical -wish they could revive -this didn't have a long enough life- I wish they would release it for leasing- Bravo to Frank Wildhorn as always!!

Case arrived broken and would not stay closed. Had to scramble and find another case, since this was a gift.The digital download that came with it was supposed to have the digital booklet, but I STILL haven't been able to download it.

WonderLand is exactly that how this only lasted a month on broadway, is lunacy why is it as I have said before Wildhorn Never Gets The Credit he deserves not, many composers can take you on a musical quest from the Overture to the last note in fact I can only think of 4 other composers, that have done this Chris Miller ( Tuck Everlasting), Dana P Rowe ( The Witches Of Eastwick), Andrew Lippa ( Big Fish), Lucy Simon ( Doctor Zhivago.) these have all had the same impact which is listening to them again and again and again, although the Lyrics by Jack Murphy need a little tweak only Fanatics like myself will notice it's a bit off lyricallly, every so often and a little repeative at times in songs like The Mad Tea Party but you can forgive this because the book is, so strong and it's such a breath of fresh air it's funny, witty, sad and a little bit sinsister, my favourite songs have to be One Knight, The Mad Hatter, Home, Though The Looking Glass and Finding Wonderland. A must have for any Wildhorn SuperFans like Myself A Forgotten Unsung MasterPiece.

Love this, I purchased it as a gift for my daughter who loves Alice in Wonderland but even if you are not a fan it is a beautiful score.

Brilliant.

This was bought for my son as he is a music teacher and likes all types of music, as it helps with histeaching.

Excellant