This week, it was announced that Broadway director and choreographer Rob Ashford will be teaming up with Disney Theatrical Productions to bring a musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland to the stage. The new musical, which does not yet have a premiere date, will be based on Disney’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland film, rather than the original Lewis Carroll stories and Disney’s 1951 animated film of the same name.
Working with Ashford to bring the new show to life will be a number of alumni from the 2010 film, including the movie’s director Tim Burton, whose aesthetic from the film will be seen in the design of the show. Also working on the show will be screenwriter Linda Woolverton, who will pen the show’s book, as well as producer Richard D. Zanuck.
Ashford’s work can be seen currently in the Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, on which he served as both director and choreographer. The upcoming Broadway revival of Evita will also feature his choreography. Ashford’s previous Broadway credits include choreography for such shows as Cry-Baby, Curtains, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as both direction and choreography for the recent revival of Promises, Promises.
In addition to Alice in Wonderland, Disney Theatrical Productions is also developing such other Disney titles as Dumbo and Father of the Bride for possible Broadway or West End debuts. While no timeline is currently known for Alice in Wonderland, a world premiere for the show in London is a possibility. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new musical.
