Purdue Theatre to present premiere of 'Alice Wonders'

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Theatre will present "Alice Wonders," an original work inspired by the "Alice" writings of Lewis Carroll, written and directed by Gordon McCall, associate professor and head of Purdue Theatre's directing program.

"I was inspired to write 'Alice Wonders' because of my own status as a newcomer to America," McCall said. "I'm from Canada, but I have been a permanent resident of the United States for six years. The people who have inspired me as a playwright have also come to America recently. All of us have come to pursue our dreams - the American Dream.

"I began to wonder what might happen if five women named Alice from different parts of the world decided to pursue their dreams in today's wonderland of America. This beautiful country can give new life to hopes and aspirations, but it can also behave like its own kind of scary Wonderland, its axis tilted off-center and its obsessions and addictions distorting daily life, like some kind of bizarre reality TV show. So the play is not an adaptation of 'Alice in Wonderland' or 'Through the Looking Glass,' but it has been inspired by those books.

 "Alice Wonders" will be performed in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts beginning Friday (April 12). Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. April 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Matinees also will be offered at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday (April 14) and April 20. Tickets are $19.50 for the general public, $12.50 for students and $15.50 for seniors ages 62 and older. A special preview performance of "Alice Wonders" will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (April 11), with all seats $6.50 general admission.

Tickets for "Alice Wonders" are available at the Pao Hall, Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices, online at http:/www.purdue.edu/theatre/tickets, or by calling 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. The Nancy T. Hansen Theatre is located in Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts at 552 W. Wood St.

Purdue Theatre is part of the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts.

Sources: David Lageveen, director of marketing and donor relations for Purdue Theatre, 765-494- 3084, lageveen@purdue.edu