Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...Another thing: Wheeldon's imagination could only run this wild in a superbly-crafted Wonderland, made possible through the ingenuity of scenic and costume designer Bob Crowley, lighting designer Natasha Katz, projectionists Jon Driscoll and Gemma Carrington and puppeteer Toby Olie - seamlessly executed by a Joffrey team that, frankly, has never attempted something this big. "Alice" was originally created for London's Royal Ballet, a company of 100 dancers and nearly 10 times Joffrey's budget. Pulling it off was going to be a challenge. But they did. And Wonderland turned out to be a risk that will pay off in spades."
7DAYS
- Recommended
"...Christopher Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, first created for the Royal Ballet in 2011 and now in its U.S. premiere by the Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House through June 22, is rife with enchantments, combining thrilling use of puppetry (by Toby Olie) and scenic design (by Bob Crowley) to present an astonishing spectacle."
Stage and Cinema
- Highly Recommended
"...What's clear and frankly amazing from the very beginning is the tight synergy between movement, music and plot. Running approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes with two intermissions, every second in Alice is finely calibrated and precisely synchronized. Every gesture, note, and leap fit together like a finely crafted living machine whose efficiency is a work of wonder."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"..."Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" is the best of the best that The Joffrey Ballet has to offer! What a thrilling combination of theatre and dance! What a spectacle! Amanda Assucena, who performs as Alice, does an incredible job holding the entire show together with her spirited and flowing ballet. Of note is how well Assucena shrinks herself into tight places while maintaining her poise and elegance. What a splendid performance! The story is simultaneously comedic, romantic, and whimsical, with gorgeous projection design, resonant music, and sets and costumes courtesy of Royal Danish Ballet and Royal Swedish Ballet."
WTTW
- Highly Recommended
"..."Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," the classic English children's novel by Lewis Carroll dating from 1865, could hardly be more familiar to audiences of all ages. But the ballet version of the story, as choreographed by Britain's Christopher Wheeldon - which had its world premiere in 2011 by the Royal Ballet and is now in its Chicago premiere by the Joffrey Ballet - is a wonderfully innovative take on the classic tale."
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...Wowza! If you're searching for one of Chicago's must-see summer events, look no further. The Joffrey Ballet has done it again, this time taking Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to electrifying new heights at the Lyric Opera House, delivering a kaleidoscopic whirlwind of dance, theatrics, and pure magic. Guided by the visionary genius of two-time Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, this adaptation seamlessly fuses classical ballet with unexpected bursts of tap, mesmerizing stage illusions, and imaginative puppetry. Wheeldon is a visionary choreographer renowned for his ability to fuse classical ballet with theatrical innovation."
Third Coast Review
- Highly Recommended
"...The Joffrey Ballet is known for its full-scale productions, which are cinematic in their staging. Atonement combined film noir with period piece drama. Studies in Blue was filled with dreamy subconscious imagery. Now, they have taken it up a bounding leap with the American premiere of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with music by Joby Talbot. The artistry of the dancers and Talbot's evocative score are dazzling. It was as if the musical notes were dancing as well."
Splash Magazine
- Highly Recommended
"...Chicago's Joffrey Ballet concludes its amazing 69th season with two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's enchanting and family-friendly Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Set to Joby Talbot's hallucinatory sound world of sweeping melodies and ticking clocks, the production features vibrant stagecraft and puppetry by Tony Award-winning designer Bob Crowley, transforming Lewis Carroll's classic tale with a modern twist."
BroadwayWorld
- Highly Recommended
"...This production offers something for all the senses. The full company performs with strong energy and comedic timing. The Production Team, including scenic designer Bob Crowley, lighting designer Natasha Katz, projection designers Gemma Carrington and Jon Driscoll, and puppeteer Toby Olie, brought Wheeldon’s vision to life."
