Alice by Heart

In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

 As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward.

The story shifts between the surreal world of Wonderland and the starkness of the bomb shelter. Familiar characters like the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and Queen of Hearts emerge as figments of Alice’s imagination, mirroring the people in the shelter and the emotions Alice wrestles with. Wonderland becomes a metaphorical realm where Alice can confront her fears, grief, and feelings of powerlessness. This world-premiere musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.