Curiouser and Curiouser: REP’s Alice in Wonderland Musical Opens the Rabbit Hole for Young Audiences

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Adapted for the stage with music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, this RTYA production brings together all the colorful characters from Lewis Carroll’s cherished books, including: the ever-curious Alice, the eccentric Mad Hatter, the frantic White Rabbit, and the domineering Queen of Hearts.

Some stories feel like childhood itself—etched into the corners of memory with the wonder of nonsense rhymes, tea parties that never end, and the riddle of who we might grow up to be. Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland is one of those tales, and beginning August 23 until December 14, Repertory Philippines invites us to tumble down the rabbit hole once more—this time into a brand-new musical that promises spectacle, wit, and enchantment for the whole family.

At the REP Eastwood Theater, the Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA) unfurls a world where tap-dancing playing cards leap to life, croquet matches are played with flamingos, and curiosity refuses to be silenced. With music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, and guided by the creative vision of Joy Virata and Cara Barredo, this production dares to reimagine Carroll’s timeless dreamscape with a Filipino stage magic all its own.

A Cast of Wonder

Casting for a story as iconic as Alice is never just a technicality—it is a declaration of imagination. Three young talents step into Alice’s wide-eyed shoes: Reese De La Vega Iso, Justine Narciso, and Cheska Quimno. Each one brings a different shade of wonder to the girl who refuses to stop asking questions.

Opposite them, the Queen of Hearts reigns with triple force—Cara Barredo, Pinky Marquez, and Mayen Bustamante-Cadd—a reminder that authority can be as colorful (and as terrifying) as it is commanding.

The Mad Hatter is shared by Hans Eckstein and Gerhard Krysstopher, their eccentricities likely to electrify the stage with delightful chaos. Steven Hotchkiss and Gabo Tiongson will race against the clock as the White Rabbit, while an array of equally beloved characters tumble into the spotlight:

  • Vino Mabalot and Jay Pangilinan as the Mock Turtle

  • Stephen Viñas and Sebastian Katigbak (with Krysstopher alternating) as the Cheshire Cat

  • Yhuan Gatbunton and Lance Soliman as the Caterpillar

  • Drew Bustamante and Paul Atienza as Tweedle Dum

  • Katie Bradshaw and Ornella Brianna as Tweedle Dee

  • Ayam Eckstein and Jay Barrameda as the Doormouse

  • Kenny Isidoro and Johann Parungao as the March Hare

  • Karl Navato alternating with Pangilinan as the Dodo Bird

  • Vinz Castillo and Sean Nolasco as the Knave of Hearts

Completing this living deck of characters is a lively ensemble: Coleen Paz, Jacqui Jacinto, Jiliana Tavares, Julia Panlilio, Lucylle Tan, Monica Tulio, Tanja Santos, Astro, DJ Buban, Deo Dela Cruz, Jae Valencia, VJ Cortel, and Keith Campus. Together, they will paint Wonderland with movement, song, and mischievous delight.

The World Behind Wonderland

No fantasy lives without the invisible architects who conjure it. Phoebe Bitoon leads as Musical Director, with Stephen Viñas choreographing alongside Deo Dela Cruz as assistant choreographer and dance captain. The set—dreamed up by Lawyn Cruz with support from Lou Cagalingan and Kath Fernando—will transform Eastwood into Carroll’s impossible landscapes.

Hershee Tantiado and Phillip Domingo design costumes that promise whimsy stitched with detail, while John Batalla’s lighting and GA Fallarme’s projections ensure that magic gleams across every corner. Hair and makeup by Johann Dela Fuente complete the transformation, while Ayam Eckstein and Patricia Gregorio keep the wonder running smoothly as company and production managers.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Alice in Wonderland is not just a children’s story—it is an invitation to keep curiosity alive long after childhood ends. REP’s staging extends that invitation to every family, every dreamer, every skeptic, and every believer in impossible things before breakfast.

So—how do you get to Wonderland?

Mark your calendars from August 23 to December 14 at the REP Eastwood Theater. Tickets are available via TicketWorld and Ticket2Me for Orchestra Center, or this link for Orchestra Side. For inquiries and showbuying, reach out through REP’s official socials @repertoryphilippines, or contact 0962-6918540 / 0966-9054013.

Bring your family, and let REP remind you that the best way to survive the world is sometimes to ask a question that makes no sense at all.

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