A beloved holiday tradition returns to People’s Light with the world premiere of Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto. On her first day of mean middle school, Alice Liddle stumbles upon a strange book in the library and ends up in a mysterious, magical place. Cheer the heroes, boo the bad guys, and help Alice find her way home in this panto-tastic take on Lewis Carroll’s madcap classic.

Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto runs Nov. 16 through Jan. 1 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage.

As “the nation’s primary creator of such specialized tomfoolery,” for almost two decades, writes Newsworks, People’s Light has adapted the theatrical form of British pantomime into their own unique brand of holiday hilarity. With origins dating back to commedia dell’arte, pantomime takes a well-known children’s story and turns it on its ear. Audiences of all ages gather in droves to partake in the songs, dances, topical jokes, and jovial camaraderie of this longstanding tradition. This year, People’s Light is thrilled to welcome two Philadelphia icons to the panto family—comedy legend Jennifer Childs writes the book and award-winning drag performer Eric Jaffe is the audience’s new guide through the magical mayhem. People’s Light welcomes back Bill Fennelly, who also directed 2019’s Little Red Robin Hood, and composer/lyricist Alex Bechtel, who penned the music and lyrics for 2016’s Sleeping Beauty and has appeared as an actor in multiple past pantos.  

The People’s Light panto is entertainment for the entire family, and the audience is part of the action. Playwright Jennifer Childs, co-founder of 1812 Productions—the only professional theatre company in the country dedicated to comedy—is a big fan of audience participation.

“While this is my first time writing a panto, I’ve discovered a lot of similarities between the panto form and my work at 1812 Productions,” said Childs. “And I love that the panto addresses real things that kids experience, like starting a new school, in a fun and engaging way.” Her goal for the audience is “to make you laugh with abandon and cry just a little.”   

When asked what he loves most about the panto, composer and lyricist Alex Bechtel said, “There’s a surprise at every turn. And at every surprising turn is joy, delight, irreverence, and play, both among the cast and with the audience. Panto forms an instant family, but it’s not a saccharine family. It’s a real family in which everyone is yelling and throwing food.” 

“After the last few years of darkness, we want to bring some light,” said director Bill Fennelly. “We’ve been away from the theater for a few years and the panto feels like the perfect way to bring the community back together.”

In addition to the role of Dinah/Cheshire Cat, award-winning Philadelphia drag performer Eric Jaffe serves as Drag/Gender Representation Consultant for the production.

“This is my first experience with this theatrical form, but I feel like my everyday life is panto,” said Jaffe. “I am really excited to be a part of this new creation—a new idea of what the panto can be. I live in a performance world that doesn’t have a fourth wall, so I am excited to bring that element of crowd work. The best thing about Wonderland is that anything goes.”  

Single tickets start at $47, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People’s Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road in Malvern.