Overview
Synopsis
In the midst of the 1941 London Blitz during World War II, teenager Alice Spencer and her best friend Alfred Hallam seek refuge in an underground tube station bunker, where civilians huddle together amid the chaos of air raids. Alfred, suffering from tuberculosis, is quarantined in a restricted ward, leaving Alice desperate to see him. To comfort him during a visit, Alice pulls out their shared favorite book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, but the strict Red Cross Nurse confiscates and tears it as punishment for Alice's rule-breaking. Undeterred, Alice declares she knows the story by heart and begins reciting it aloud, drawing the bunker residents into the narrative. As bombs fall overhead, the group transforms into characters from the book, with Alfred reluctantly becoming the frantic White Rabbit, urging Alice to follow him "down the hole" into Wonderland to escape their grim reality.
As Alice leads the ensemble deeper into the imagined Wonderland, she alters the familiar tale to prolong her time with Alfred, lingering excessively with the White Rabbit and skipping ahead in the story. They encounter whimsical yet increasingly tense figures: two laid-back Caterpillars tempt Alice to "chill her regrets" by smoking a hookah, leading to a hazy, introspective sequence where Alice confronts her fears. The enigmatic Cheshire Cat offers cryptic advice on letting go, while the group participates in a chaotic Lobster Quadrille dance. Tensions rise with the overbearing Duchess, who scolds Alice for growing up too quickly, and a bizarre croquet game overseen by the tyrannical Queen of Hearts, where flamingos serve as mallets and hedgehogs as balls. Throughout, Alice's modifications to the story reflect her denial of Alfred's illness and her desire to keep him close, blending the book's absurdity with the bunker's wartime hardships.
Alfred, weary of his role as the White Rabbit and yearning to exist as himself in the bunker, attempts to force the story to an early end, shifting into the jittery March Hare and confronting Alice about her selfishness. Hurt and angry, Alice lashes out, blaming him for his sickness, but he is suddenly carted away to a deeper quarantine ward. Alone, Alice battles the monstrous Jabberwocky, a manifestation of her grief and fear of madness, ultimately defeating it by invoking memories of Alfred. The Cheshire Cat encourages her to release her hold on the past, but a chorus of Mock Turtles—bunker residents grieving their own losses—persuade her to wallow in sorrow instead. Alfred returns, pleading to finish the tale, but Alice resists, attempting to kiss him in a desperate bid to share his fate, only for him to pull away and resume his March Hare persona amid their mutual heartbreak.
In the climactic trial scene, where Alice is accused by the Queen of Hearts of distorting Wonderland's rules, she defiantly stands up for her right to adapt the story on her own terms. With help from the Cheshire Cat, Alice and Alfred shatter the illusions of Wonderland, returning to the stark reality of the bunker. They share a tender farewell, acknowledging their unspoken love and the inevitability of loss as Alfred weakens. The ensemble, back as civilians, supports Alice in closing the book for good. In the end, Alice emerges transformed, finding courage to face the ongoing war and an uncertain future, planting seeds of hope—literal and metaphorical—amid the winter blooms of resilience.
Show Information
Context
Alice By Heart draws inspiration from Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, reimagining its themes of curiosity, absurdity, and transformation within the harrowing context of World War II's London Blitz. Created by lyricist Steven Sater, composer Duncan Sheik (known for their Tony-winning Spring Awakening), and book writer/director Jessie Nelson, the musical explores how storytelling becomes a lifeline for processing grief, first love, and the loss of innocence.
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Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
Alto |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Ensemble |
Not Specified |
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Songs
Alice By Heart
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
An adaptation is a reworking of a story from one medium or cultural context into another, such as turning a novel into a play or updating a classic play’s setting. Adaptations often reinterpret themes, characters, and style for new audiences. They can range from faithful recreations to bold reimaginings.
A ballad is a song style that tells a story through simple, lyrical verses and a steady rhythm. In theatre, ballads are often slow and emotional, allowing characters to reveal deep feelings or reflect on personal journeys. They can be used to highlight romance, longing, or moments of dramatic intensity.
A musical with a well-structured narrative that integrates songs, dialogue, and dance to advance plot and character development.
A genre of story involving magical and fantastical elements, sometimes adapted for theatrical performance.
Traditional music that tells stories of everyday life and struggles, frequently featured in historical and cultural dramas.
A rock musical is a form of musical theatre that incorporates the rhythms, instrumentation, and energy of rock-and-roll into its score. Emerging in the late 1960s with shows like Hair, rock musicals often bring a contemporary, rebellious edge to the stage. They blend theatrical storytelling with the raw power of popular music to attract younger and more diverse audiences.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher