Asolo Rep turns Waterside Place into a Wonderland

The pavilion at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch was staged with a three-quarter thrust on Oct. 17 for a performance of "Alice in Wonderland" presented by the Asolo Rep on Tour.

Stage Director Audrey Dixon explained that a three-quarter thrust seats the audience on three sides of the stage instead of just one. 

“It brings the audience in a little bit,” she said. “It’s more immersive.” 

The play is an adaptation of the Lewis Carroll novel. Instead of sitting on a riverbank, Alice is on a class field trip to a museum when she spots the white rabbit.

Director Cat Brindisi’s husband David Darrow wrote the adaption of the play, which Brindisi described as “actor-driven.” The costumes are simple, and there aren’t a lot of props. 

The simplicity of production allows the third-year acting students more opportunities to perform because they can set up the show in 20 minutes whether they’re going to be on a stage or in an elementary school cafeteria.

Asolo Rep on Tour is a program through the Asolo Repertory Theatre that adapts classic books into 45-minute plays that are then performed throughout Florida communities and schools.  

Last year, the students were scheduled for just 12 performances. Thanks to the ease of production this year, the students are performing two shows and have 53 performances scheduled. 

Asolo Rep on Tour will return to Waterside Place Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. for a performance of Shakespeare45, “a fast-paced celebration of Shakespeare’s greatest hits — blending iconic scenes, sonnets and songs.”