(Columbus, Ga.) — The Springer Theatre invites audiences to hit “Start” and tumble down the rabbit hole this summer with a bold new take on Alice in Wonderland—equal parts heart, humor, and high-score nostalgia. Opening July 17 as part of the Springer’s Children’s Series, this isn’t your grandmother’s fairytale. It’s a trippy, technicolor mixtape that honors the spirit of Lewis Carroll’s original tale while spinning it into something wildly new, weird, and wonderfully nostalgic.

More than just tea parties and croquet with the Queen of Hearts, this Alice is a full-on remix. The reimagined production is a tribute to the beloved classic—but with a twist. Inspired by the kids who grew up on arcade games, VHS tapes, and early internet chaos, this Wonderland is dripping in late ’80s and early ’90s vibes: Saturday morning cartoons, neon sneakers, and those delightfully bizarre commercials that still live rent-free in every post-Boomer brain.

At its core, the show is a tribute to the legacy of the late Ron Anderson, whose artistic vision helped shape the Springer’s Children’s Theatre. Director Ben Redding leans into Anderson’s signature style—unbridled imagination and bold creativity—crafting a Wonderland that feels less like a fantasy world and more like a dive into the subconscious of a kid raised on pop culture.

“This version of Alice in Wonderland is the brainchild of Ron Anderson, one of the great minds of theatre,” Redding said. “As a director, I want to honor that genius by bringing to life a Wonderland that’s equal parts mixtape, memory, and mayhem.”

While Alice still faces the classic question—Who am I?—this version doesn’t pretend to have easy answers. Instead, it embraces the weirdness, frustration, wonder, and transformation that come with growing up. It’s messy. It’s magical. And it’s made for everyone.

“This show is filled with liminal magic,” Redding added. “Wonderland is less a fantasy world than a walk through a teenage subconscious. Though it’s made for young audiences, it’s also for the grown-ups who remember blowing into a game cartridge to make it work. It’s packed with surprises, vibrant design, interactive moments, and just the right amount of ‘what is even happening right now?’ energy.”

Whether you’re a curious kid or a millennial reliving childhood memories, the Springer’s Alice in Wonderland promises a joyride through identity, nostalgia, and the power of imagination. It’s a celebration of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and all the strange and beautiful stops in between—a story for those who grew up wondering and wandering, now watching their own children do the same.

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Show Dates & Tickets

Alice in Wonderland opens Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday, July 27 on the Dorothy McClure Theatre stage.

🎟️ Tickets and info: www.springeroperahouse.org
📞 Call: (706) 327-3688
📍 Address: 103 10th Street, Columbus, Georgia 31901