Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure Lyrics – All Songs from the Musical

"Wonderland – Original Broadway Cast Album (2011)" Soundtrack Description

FAQ

• Is there an official soundtrack album?
  Yes—the Original Broadway Cast album was released in 2011 and is widely available on major streaming services and in digital stores.
• Who created the score?
  Music by Frank Wildhorn with lyrics by Jack Murphy; the book is by Murphy and Gregory Boyd.
• What kind of music is it?
  A pop-forward Broadway score that skates between jazz, Latin pop, vaudeville pastiche, power ballads, and glossy radio pop.
• Which numbers became fan favorites?
  “Once More I Can See,” “I Will Prevail,” “Go With the Flow,” “One Knight,” and finale “Finding Wonderland.”
• What plays at the Mad Tea Party?
  Act I features “The Tea Party,” then the Mad Hatter’s entrance number follows shortly after.

Notes & Trivia

• The Broadway production opened April 17, 2011 and closed May 15, 2011—fast run, enduring cast album.
• El Gato, the Cheshire Cat with a Latin twist, leads the vibe-shifter “Go With the Flow.”
• The Mad Hatter is reimagined as a female antagonist with a roof-raising Act II anthem (“I Will Prevail”).
• Jason Howland served as Supervising Music Director (and conductor); Kim Scharnberg handled orchestrations and musical supervision.
• The album production team included Frank Wildhorn, Jason Howland, and David Lai.
• Karen Mason’s Queen of Hearts gets a comic showpiece in “Off With Their Heads.”
• The finale, “Finding Wonderland,” doubles as the show’s thesis: reclaiming curiosity beats conquering chaos.

Overview

Why does a modern Alice hit Queens, New York, then tumble into big-chorus, radio-ready pop? Because Wonderland swaps Victorian whimsy for 2011 gloss: synths, backbeat, and a villain with a belt note for days. The cast album bottles that neon—hooks first, meaning right behind it. Under the sparkle the score works like a compass. Jazz sidesteps for the Caterpillar’s cool counsel, a Latin groove stalks with El Gato, and power ballads give Alice the air she needs to breathe. It’s an unapologetically commercial soundscape, tuned to make character beats feel like singles.

Genres & Themes

• Pop-Broadway power ballads ? Alice’s self-repair and clear-sightedness (“Once More I Can See,” “Finding Wonderland”).
• Latin pop / funk ? Cheshire-cat mischief with swagger (“Go With the Flow”).
• Jazz lounge ? Caterpillar’s analytic, smooth advice (“Advice from a Caterpillar”).
• Rock/anthem ? Mad Hatter’s control and ambition (“I Will Prevail”).
• Vaudeville/pastiche ? Court and tea-party chaos, playful world-building (“The Tea Party,” “Hail the Queen”).

Key Tracks & Scenes

• “Welcome to Wonderland” — Alice & Company
  Where it plays: Early Act I as Alice arrives below the city; stage-world orientation.
  Why it matters: Establishes the rules and rush—bright, hooky world-building.
• “Advice from a Caterpillar” — Caterpillar, Alice & Legs
  Where it plays: Act I, in the Caterpillar’s jazzy haunt; diegetic show number inside the world.
  Why it matters: Smooth counsel reframes Alice’s panic into observation.
• “Go With the Flow” — El Gato, Alice & Cats
  Where it plays: Act I, El Gato sidetracks Alice with a Latin-pop detour.
  Why it matters: Misdirects plot while loosening Alice’s grip—style equals temptation.
• “One Knight” — Jack the White Knight & Knights
  Where it plays: Act I, comic set-piece for Alice’s would-be rescuer.
  Why it matters: Parodies pop bravado to show Jack’s charm and limits.
• “The Mad Hatter” — Mad Hatter & Company
  Where it plays: Act I, post–tea party entrance statement.
  Why it matters: Stakes the villain’s claim; rock textures sharpen the threat.
• “Off With Their Heads” — Queen of Hearts
  Where it plays: Act II, the Queen’s comic-command number.
  Why it matters: Breaks tension with campy danger; crowd-pleasing bite.
• “I Will Prevail” — Mad Hatter
  Where it plays: Act II, solo power anthem.
  Why it matters: The Hatter’s manifesto—ambition sung at full throttle.
• “Once More I Can See” — Alice
  Where it plays: Mid–Act II self-reckoning ballad.
  Why it matters: Emotional center; clarity becomes sound.
• “Finding Wonderland” — Alice & Company
  Where it plays: Finale.
  Why it matters: Mission statement: curiosity restored, family rebalanced.

Music–Story Links (characters & plot beats as connected to songs)

• When Alice tumbles “Down the Rabbit Hole,” the next song’s welcome chorus isn’t just spectacle; it tells us she’s inside a world that sings its rules.
• El Gato’s groove teaches compliance—go with the nonsense—and shows how easy it is to lose the thread when the tune slaps.
• The Hatter’s Act II anthem flips the show’s pop language into menace: self-creation without empathy curdles into control.
• Alice’s ballads track a thought process—panic ? perspective (“Once More I Can See”) ? practice (“Finding Wonderland”).
• The court numbers (“Hail the Queen,” “Off With Their Heads”) weaponize pomp; comedy masks power until it doesn’t.

How It Was Made (supervision, score, behind-the-scenes)

• Authors: Frank Wildhorn (music); Jack Murphy (lyrics); book by Murphy & Gregory Boyd.
• Music team: Kim Scharnberg (orchestrations & musical supervision); Jason Howland (supervising music director, conductor; incidental & dance arrangements); Ron Melrose & Jason Howland (vocal arrangements).
• Cast on album: Janet Dacal (Alice), Kate Shindle (Mad Hatter), Karen Mason (Queen of Hearts/Edwina), Jose Llana (El Gato), Darren Ritchie (Jack/White Knight), Edward Staudenmayer (White Rabbit), Carly Rose Sonenclar (Chloe), E. Clayton Cornelious (Caterpillar).
• Album production: Produced by Frank Wildhorn, Jason Howland, and David Lai.
• Design DNA (stage): Neil Patel’s sets, Susan Hilferty’s costumes, Sven Ortel’s projections, Marguerite Derricks’s choreography—shaping the album’s “big canvas” feel.
• Character swing: The Hatter was reconceived as a female antagonist, sharpening the pop-rock edge heard on the album.

Reception & Quotes

“Peppily inspirational… with a convoluted story line.” Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

“The surface often impresses, though the substance just as often disappoints.” Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle

“Physically impressive… a score that ranges from vaudeville to Broadway bombast, jazz.” Variety

Technical Info

• Title: Wonderland – Original Broadway Cast Album
• Year: 2011
• Type: Original Broadway Cast Recording (from the 2011 Marquis Theatre production)
• Composers/Lyricist: Frank Wildhorn (music); Jack Murphy (lyrics)
• Book: Jack Murphy & Gregory Boyd
• Orchestrations / Music Supervision: Kim Scharnberg
• Supervising Music Director / Conductor: Jason Howland
• Vocal Arrangements: Ron Melrose & Jason Howland
• Choreography (stage): Marguerite Derricks
• Label: Masterworks Broadway
• Album Release: May 3, 2011
• Broadway Run (context): Opened April 17, 2011; closed May 15, 2011 (Marquis Theatre)
• Selected notable placements on album: “Welcome to Wonderland,” “Advice from a Caterpillar,” “Go With the Flow,” “One Knight,” “The Mad Hatter,” “Off With Their Heads,” “Once More I Can See,” “I Will Prevail,” “Finding Wonderland.”
• Availability: Widely streaming and for digital purchase.

P.S.

This story is kind of modern version of well-known books, written by L. Carroll. Scenario was adapted by G. Boyd and J. Murphy, who was also responsible for lyrics. F. Wildhorn created music for this spectacle. Before official premiere, there were readings workshops of this play. In 2007, there was first workshop, where several compositions were presented. Later, the creators presented another song with an orchestra and announced a premier to happen in 2009. The first reading was in 2009 in Manhattan, featuring L. Kennedy, J. Brooks, N. Snelson and J. Murney. Initial staging was directed by G. Boyd. Marguerite Derricks became a choreographer, while N. Patel and S. Hilferty created sets and costume designs. Janet Dacal, Jose Llana, Karen Mason, Nikki Snelson, Eugene Fleming, Julie Brooks, Ed Staudenmayer and Darren Ritchie were among the crew. Previews of the spectacle started at Ferguson Hall, located in Tampa. In 2011, there was a pre-Broadway engagement at the same hall. Official premier on Broadway happened in spring the same year. It took place at Marquis Theatre. J. Dacal, D. Ritchie, J. Llana, K. Mason, K. Shindle, C. R. Sonenclar, and E. Staudenmayer received leading roles. Director and choreographer were the same as for preliminary readings. The same was also a design team. There was only a new sound designer – P. Hylenski. There were several international displays. The opening in Tokyo happened in 2012. In 2017, the tour around the UK is planned. The first displays are to take place at Edinburgh Playhouse. In 2011, the original Broadway performance was nominated for Astaire Award in category of choreography. This show has not managed to obtain any awards by now.