Interactive 'Alice' an Andersonville wonder

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Eight venues, nine artists, 12 chapters, plus six rabbits add up to one wild afternoon in Andersonville, where the whole community becomes a stage.

Loosely based on the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, in this production of "Alice," the audience follows a white rabbit to various locations.

"The idea is that the audience is Alice and she's always chasing the rabbit. So the rabbit is the sort of tour guide," said Dina Walters.

At each Andersonville hot spot, performers await to provide an interactive interpretation of a chapter.

"It's great for the neighborhood because it brings people into the neighborhood to explore local businesses and it's great for the artistic community," said Jessica Hammer, Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. "They are using the Neo-Futurarium and just encouraging the arts in Andersonville."

Sometimes the venue itself becomes part of the story, like at Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities. Participants getting a sneak preview say is it's a one-of-a-kind theater experience.

"The atmosphere in that store fit with the puppet perfectly, a very unique adaptation to that aspect of the play," said Justin Hardesty.

The production was first staged in 2004. Creator Noelle Krimm says it was so well-received that she decided to revive it for the show's ten-year anniversary.

"It doesn't tell the linear story of Alice," Krimm said. "It's more the experience of going to a lot of different places and not quite knowing where you're going and not quite knowing what you'll see there, but everywhere you look is sort of magic."

The show opens Saturday, September 27 with tours beginning at 1:00 p.m. and leaving every 15 minutes until 2:00 p.m. All tours start at the Neo-Futurarium on North Ashland.

Sign up for a specific tour time by purchasing tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com

For more information, visit www.upendedproductions.com