+ FAQ
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Is this show suitable for children?
Yes! The minimum age for this production is 6 years old. Please help your young person have the best experience possible by guiding them through the adventure. While there are moments of interactivity that our little friends love, help them to respect the performers and other audience members by respecting the directions they are given, staying behind the audience lines that are set by our guides, and keeping quiet during scenes. We trust you to use your parental discretion in determining whether the performance is appropriate for your child.
Tickets for children are the same prices as for adults. We offer a variety of ticket price tiers, please select the one that suits your income.

How long is the show?
The production runs just over 2 hours - we recommend bringing a snack and something to drink.
Restrooms are accessible before the show begins, and again at the end

How accessible is this production?
The ~1 mile performance route is primarily flat and includes both paved pathways as well as uneven terrain and trails through wooded areas. While not completely accessible, we are delighted to support your journey through the looking-glass. Please email us before your show date at reservations@weplayers.org to help us accomodate any special needs.

Is there seating available?
As with all We Players productions, our team will guide you through the space, and we encourage you to choose and change your position so you can best see and hear the action. In each performance location the audience will take the following formation: those comfortable sitting or kneeling on the ground in the front, those sitting on stools next, and those standing remain at the back. We will provide folding stools, foam kneelers, and folding camping chairs, for those who wish to use them. We can not accommodate personal folding chairs, please plan to use one of ours.

Can I bring my dog or my Dodo Bird?
Unfortunately, you may not bring (even your very well-behaved) pet dog or Dodo Bird to the Adventures with Alice experience. Please alert our box office at reservations@weplayers.org prior to your performance date if you will be bringing a service animal. Thank you so much for understanding.

How participatory is this production? As a We Players audience member, you are an engaged observer. While we do not invite you to interject or join the scene per se, you are on your feet following the show as it moves through the environment. Adventures with Alice includes some very direct interaction elements with performers, and those are initiated by the players. Primarily, your participation element is to move and follow and choose and change your position as the show unfolds, as well as noticing and savoring the details in the dynamic performance space - which is the world!

This project looks really interesting! Can I volunteer with We Players?
Absolutely! Join us in bringing magic to Golden Gate Park! Lend us a helping hand for a couple of shows and get free tickets to the show. Please reach out to us at info@weplayers.org and let us know!

What if my question is not answered here?
For questions about the production and performance, please contact We Players at info@weplayers.org

+ PREPARATION & PARKING
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This journey through the Golden Gate Wonderland will wind from the N Polo Field to 'Portals of the Past'. Just like Alice, you will not end up where you started! We recommend the following options as you plan your journey to our Looking-Glass realm.

Please note that John F Kennedy Drive (JFK) is closed from the East End (Kezar Drive) to Transverse Drive and from 8th Ave to Transverse Drive. The best parking options are on JFK west of Transverse.

If arriving by bike, please secure it before checking in, as bikes cannot be brought along during the performance.

OPTIONS

1) We recommend parking near Spreckles Lake or the Bison on JFK.
The journey begins near the Polo Field N restroom. Follow signage on JFK - opposite Spreckles Lake, and near the Park Stables. Continue on foot past the restrooms and Look for Monica Herbert, We Players' House Manager, standing below a eucalyptus tree ready to greet you! At the end of the adventure, you'll have a ~15-20 min. walk to return to your vehicle.

2) Front load your travel and have your chariot waiting for you at the end! Park near Portals of the Past/ Hellman Hollow on JFK close to the intersection at Transverse. You'll then need to walk along JFK to Spreckles Lake and the Park Stables (approx 15+ min), where you'll locate signage to registration and proceed as above.

3) Public transit (or taxi service) to and from!
The #5 bus runs along Fulton, with numerous pick up/ drop off spots. Get off the bus at the Fulton and 36th Ave., at the NW corner of Spreckles Lake. Enter the park on foot via 36th Ave. and look for signage to registration. The bus ride costs $3. Or use your favorite rideshare app or taxi service!

NOTES

The walk is approximately 1 mile. Wear comfortable close-toed shoes! Bring water and a snack! Wear layers! We will provide stools and other seating options.

+ THE BUZZ
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"In We Players’ hands, a city jewel is polished to a fresh gleam."
Lily Janiak, SF Chronicle Datebook, ‘Adventures with Alice’ is theater as wonderful as its Golden Gate Park setting

"You’re not just seeing a show; you’re going on an adventure."
Lily Janiak, SF Chronicle Datebook, In Bay Area theater, spring 2023 is the time to start small

"No other local theater does anything close"
Jean Schiffman, San Francisco Examiner, Alice's Wonderland coming to Golden Gate Park

"enthusiastic and inspired... a joy to watch"
Brian Resler, No Proscenium, "Review Rundown: The One With Magic, Mystery, and Some Playful Mayhem"

"a Wonderland well worth getting lost in"
Sam Hurwitt, Mercury News, "Golden Gate Park becomes a wild Wonderland in immersive ‘Alice’"

Actor Regina Léon and Artistic Director Ava Roy talk on KPOO's Let Me Touch Your Mind about Adventures with Alice

Commonwealth Club presentation with Artistic Director Ava Roy: livestream video recording

Weekend Sherpa, Spring 2023: Rock and Roll Golden Gate

+ Cast & Creative Team
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THE CAST:
Alice: Regina León
Humpty Dumpty & Mad Hatter: Alan Coyne
Tweedle Dee & Dormouse: Chris Steele
Tweedle Dum & March Hare: María Ascención Leigh
Red Queen: Drew Watkins
White King: Benoît Monin
White Queen: Libby Oberlin and Lauren Hayes (played alternately)
White Rabbit: Britt Lauer

THE CREATIVE TEAM & CREW:
Director: Ava Roy
House Manager: Monica Herbert
Stage Manager: Lana Richards
Composer & Music Director: Charlie Gurke
Costume Designer: Brooke Jennings
Master Seamstress: Dana Taylor
Properties and Technical Assistance: Susan McComb and JD Durst
Illustrator: Jesse Patel
Production Crew: Willow Baker, Patrick Becerril, Colin Epstein, Max Fermin, Lily Marylander, Ben Miller, and Casey Selden

THE MUSICIANS
Trombone: Greg Stephens
Saxophone: Charlie Gurke and Will Berg
Trumpet: Chris Aschman and Darren Johnston

THANK YOU! Tremendous thanks to Chun Wong and Sherman Lim for their generous donation of fine textiles that will help to make this and future productions possible!

+ The PLACE
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In the 1860s, San Franciscans began to feel the need for a spacious public park similar to Central Park, which was then taking shape in New York City. Golden Gate Park was carved out of unpromising sand and shore dunes that were known as the Outside Lands, in an unincorporated area west of San Francisco's then-current borders. Conceived ostensibly for recreation, the underlying purpose of the park was housing development and the westward expansion of the city. The tireless field engineer William Hammond Hall prepared a survey and topographic map of the park site in 1870 and became its commissioner in 1871.

The first stage of the park's development centered on planting trees in order to stabilize the sand dunes that covered three-quarters of the park's 1,017 acres. In order to transform the sand dunes into green land, Scottish gardener John McLaren grew bent grass seeds obtained from France for two years and then planted them over the sand to hold the ground together. After this success, McLaren was able introduce new species of plants to the land, and is credited to have added over 700 new types of trees to California within the span of one year.

+ Stops & Shops
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We encourage our patrons to support local San Francisco businesses and institutions near our performances. Here are some recommendations for neighborhood culture, shopping and eateries!

Museums:
de Young Museum
California Academy of Sciences

Restaurants:
Hook Fish
Fiorella Sunset
Fresca Peruvian Kitchen
Arizmendi Bakery
Tartine Bakery

Shopping:
Ambiance
Crossroads
Green Apple Books