Brokaw: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ returns with a new twist
Courtesy photo
"Alice's Wonderland Bakery" is available to stream on Disney+ and watch on Disney Channel.It’s the classic story we all know — with a sprinkle of change for kids of today. “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” premiered Feb. 9, on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+. This fun animated series stars the voices of Libby Rue as Alice, Bobby Moynihan as Tweedle Don’t, Donald Faison as Harry the March Hare and Eden Espinosa as the Queen of Hearts.
The show focuses on Alice, the great-granddaughter of Alice from Lewis Carroll’s iconic novel. This little girl loves getting to work at the Wonderland Bakery.
“When she’s baking, she gets to cheer up her friends when they’re having a bad day and she gets to bake for all of Wonderland. And that makes her happy and it makes people around her happy. And I think that’s such a great story for little kids because it tells you that when somebody’s having an off day, there’s always a way to cheer them up,” Rue said.
As those of us who have seen the film know, the original movie was a little deep and dark. That is something that did not escape Faison. “I felt like it was really dark so when I found out that they were making a version that is more kid-friendly and they were interested in me being a part of it, I jumped at the opportunity,” he said.
All the whimsy of the original film come together with some old and new characters as Alice endeavors to bake a little more happiness into Wonderland. While there are plenty of new characters, plenty of memorable classics are part of the show. “I feel like these incarnations of these characters are more well-rounded and more human,” said Espinosa. “They have a lot more sides to them. Especially, I feel, for the Queen. You see a lot more of her humanity and soft side and fun side, as well as, ‘Off with her head.’ But we don’t take anyone’s heads off.”
Join young Alice and all the residents of Wonderland in this new and definitely kid-friendly series.
“I was just so excited that when I got this audition because I think Wonderland is such a great world to be in and to bring it to a new generation, I was just so honored to play the part,” Rue excitedly told members of the media. And this series might tempt young viewers to search out the original film to get some background of the characters — however, that is not a necessity for enjoying this show. And who knows, perhaps it will spark some new bakers in the family.
Off screen, the show is used for themed activities for kids at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival in Anaheim, going on now through April 26. Kids get to decorate their very own cupcake with the encouragement of Alice and Minnie Mouse.
