CHILDREN’S THEATER REVIEW : Whimsy, Magic Create Wondrous ‘Alice in Wonderland’

The Peter Pan Players’ production of “Alice in Wonderland” has enough whimsy and magic to make Lewis Carroll proud.

The troupe’s staging at Iglesia Community Park in Laguna Hills follows Alice’s fantasy romp through day-glo daisies, past a smiling Cheshire cat, a bellowing queen and a break-dancing king. Directed by Saul Siedman, the show includes 58 local children, some of whom shared characters with another cast that took over after intermission.

The one-hour show, targeted for very young children, featured Courtney Weber and Monica Bromberg as Alice, Kimberly Reed as the White Rabbit, Angela Gage as the Queen of Hearts and Nathaniel Dawkins as the King.

Children in the audience giggled through the show’s flights of fancy, including Brett Levisohn’s delirious Mad Hatter, the Cheshire cat’s glow-in-the-dark smile and the shrinking Alice. After a bite of the mushroom, Alice disappeared behind a fungus and emerged as a girl half her size (played by 3-year-old Danielle Martino).

The play was choreographed by Jill Kaplan, costumes were created by Jena Bouvion and Patricia Reed and scenery was designed by Helen Danielson.

The show is sponsored by the Orange County Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks.

“Alice in Wonderland” continues this weekend at Iglesia Community Park, 24671 Via Iglesia, Laguna Hills. Performances at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: 50 cents for mat seating and $1 for chairs. Information: (714) 830-8318.