Alice at the Palace

Ordinarily, I would avoid watching a taping of a stage production for television broadcast, since one is generally receiving the worst results of both live theatre and cinema. But, I've been seeking a bunch of Alice movies since reading Lewis Carroll's books, and this filmed play stars Meryl Streep as Alice. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see one of the greatest actresses in recorded history take on the eponymous role. It turns out, too, that "Alice at the Palace" is an interesting musical-theatre adaptation.

In retrospect, Streep here, singing and dancing with joy while wearing overalls will remind one of "Mamma Mia!" (2008). Likewise, this is fun to watch because it's evident that she is having fun. Indeed, there are quite a few shots of her smiling and laughing at other characters--or even the actors, as though she's breaking character. Some of the backstage and the balcony are already in the picture, so the production always seems to be teetering on breaking the fourth wall even though it never decisively does so.

The adaptation overcomes the episodic nature of the books better than most theatrically-released or other TV movies that I've seen. It progresses from act to act in a loose, free-flowing sort of reworked way. For instance, the Mock Turtle soup song turns into one of too much pepper in the baby's soup, and, suddenly, we've transitioned to the scene with the Duchess and her pepper-crazed maid. Furthermore, the camera placement and scene dissection is well thought out to produce the stage production for TV. Although the production values aren't at the same level, there's a considerable amount of miming by the actors that alludes to the minimalist stagings. The spectator is expected to fill in the gaps just like the dreaming Alice has to in the story.

The only matter of the stage production that I'm not fond of is the hint of ethnic stereotyping for some of the Wonderland creatures. Beginning with the music suggesting the Orientalism of the Caterpillar, there's also a Jewish Mock Turtle boring Alice with the history of his youth, and I wonder whether it's a coincidence or the angry-black-woman stereotype that has African Americans playing Carroll's two most irascible female characters, the Duchess and the Red Queen. On the other hand, perhaps, I'm reading too much into what is otherwise a lively and carefree version of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its sequel, "Alice Through the Looking Glass."

I had almost thought this was a figment of my imagination.....I remember this from so long ago, and I recently decided to Google the title to see what happened----I was so hoping for it to be on video! The songs and the entire production were so fetching! I can remember the Cheshire Cat's song so well! I only saw this one time on television, but for some reason the title stuck in my head and I always hoped to find it someday! I cannot believe it is from so long ago!!! 1982---oh, my! Someone, somewhere must have a tape of this--can I buy a copy from you?? E-mail me if you have one!! Thanxxxxxxxx--------- Maxxine Alma

Maxxine_Alma@yahoo.com

I've seen several stage and film adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and this one has to take the cake as the absolute worst. My family bought the DVD unsuspectingly and couldn't even make it through the first half. I later went back and forced myself to watch the whole thing (it had been a Christmas gift to me) and was just appalled.

The only redeeming factor (and it's hardly redeeming enough to save the whole show) is Mark Lin-Baker playing the Mock Turtle with a Yiddish accent. It's one of the few moments in the piece that has some real charm and can be taken somewhat seriously. Other than that, the songs are half-songs, the melodies are half-melodies and even Meryl Streep cannot make this direction look good.

This is a fun musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "through the looking glass".

Meryl Streep (at age of 33) does a good presentation of Alice but does not outshine all the other characters, in this Broadway production based on Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival production.

Lovers of the books may find this a tad wanting, however, theater viewers can spot the depth and presentation style.

Everybody will have a different favorite part of this presentation; mine is the singing of the Jabberwocky. Nice close-ups of eyes that you do not get in from a distance.

This is but one of many great Broadway Theatre archives that you will want to add to your collection.

I leave you with this thought: "No wise fish would go anywhere without a porpoise."

I actually grew up watching this musical and it has been something of a family treasure. Unfortunately, our copy (taped one Saturday afternoon during NBC's Project Peacock) was incomplete (about a 30 second spot where someone accidentally changed the channel while recording).

My whole family loved this musical and I would highly recommend it to all. Great music, great comedy. I'm not a huge Meryl Streep fan, but this is a great show to watch. She does a pretty convincing job of playing a young girl who has fallen down a rabbit hole and ended up in a very strange land. I believe this musical is a combination of Through the Looking Glass and Alice in Wonderland. Excellent.

And if anyone knows where I can find a copy of this, let me know!