To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center in Lincoln Center will present the free multimedia exhibition Alice Live! The exhibition will trace the history of Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice stories in live performance from their first professional staging to the present day.

Alice Live! will begin with an examination of Lewis Carroll’s own enthusiasm for entertaining and theatergoing and document the first professional stage production of Alice in London in 1886. Early productions will be illustrated with playbills, advertisements, and photographs, and New York productions will feature prominently in the exhibition. Posters, photos, audio, and video from Alice productions through the years will show developments in costumes, composing, scenic design, acting style, and even theatrical marketing. Alice Live! will cover not just theatre but ballet, opera, music, and even versions of the stories performed on ice and underwater. The exhibit will also include special elements just for children and younger visitors.

FROM THE EXHIBITION

Actor Kate Burton is shown costumed as Alice in the trademark blue and white dress. Burnton smiles at the camera while sitting in a large ornate throne.

Actress Kate Burton in a publicity shot fr. the Broadway revival of "Alice in Wonderland."

Kate Burton as Alice in the 1982 revival of the Eva LeGallienne adaptation. Photograph by Martha Swope. Martha Swope Collection, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

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TREASURE HUNT

in a color engraving of a tree, the cheshire cat appears, disappears and reappears holding their trademark grin

Activity for Kids

Alice Live! invites families with young children on a wonderland adventure. Listen to Alice read-alouds in the family reading area. Explore a kid-level display that wraps the whole gallery. Download the treasure hunt handout and bring to the exhibition.

Activity for Kids

FEATURED BLOG POST

In a detail photo of a promotional poster Alice is shown in her trademark blue dress and white apron sitting against a whimsically drawn tree

Curating Alice Live!

Guest blogger, Charlie Lovett, Curator of the exhibition, 'Alice Live,' at the New York Public Library for Performing Arts, October 2, 2015 - January 16, 2016, writes about his lifelong passion for Alice and his experience curating the exhibition.

FEATURED EVENT

On A Golden Afternoon: Lewis Carroll's Premiere Alice Performance

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland began as a performance. On a “golden afternoon” in 1862 Lewis Carroll improvised the story aloud, as he looked after and entertained the three daughters of Henry Liddell, including, most importantly, the precocious Alice Liddell. Charlie Lovett, author, scholar and curator of the Library’s current exhibition, shares the details of Carroll’s love for performing and his invention of Alice in Wonderland. See artifacts from 

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  • Saturday October 3, 2015, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center

 

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