SOBE WONDERLAND - REVIEW BY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS AND VIEWS
The already very promissing production "SoBe Wonderland, a Miami Fantasy" just got an excellent review made by Entertainment News and Views...


“Sobe Wonderland – a Miami Fantasy” is a new and original comedy musical being premiered on Miami Beach in November by the South Beach theatre company, Fourth Dimension. “Sobe Wonderland” is an extravaganza of feel-good theater. Located in the Kingdom of South Beach, “Sobe Wonderland” is a celebration of the amazing, cultural diversity that makes Miami Beach famous all over the world. “Sobe Wonderland” is enthusiastically American, exotically South American, elegantly European and inspiringly universal. A fractured fairy tale, a story of our times and a love story with a twist, this original multicultural production aims to entertain, educate and challenge.

Archetypal Miami Beach characters are portrayed as glamorous, fashion conscious, street smart and fun loving. But it is not all sun, sand and fabulousness. As the city leads the modern movements in regeneration, urbanization and preservation, the residents of Miami Beach are constantly being forced to reassess their life styles and question the core values that support work and family life in a tourist destination. “SoBe Wonderland” celebrates hedonism, but also cautions ’Live responsibly.’ “Sobe Wonderland” is an extravaganza of singing, dancing and laugh-out-loud comedy.

This cross-cultural theatrical experience is achieved in part by developing an original work from a universally known story; in this case, “Cinderella,” a story which is told in every known language and culture in the world. There are over 600 known versions of the classic “Cinderella” story.

“Sobe Wonderland - A Miami Fantasy” revels in a wicked stepmother, Evil Lina, two warring sisters, Georgina and Jebastacia, and poor put upon Chicabella, who dreams of marrying a Prince while looking for love in all the wrong places. Evil Lina makes Cruella deVille look sweet natured. A real estate Diva, Evil Lina is determined by fair means or foul to marry her daughters into royalty, so she has access to lots of private banking funds for her latest property speculation. This stepmother from hell dreams of turning her dingy old castle into a new, ultra luxurious, 50-story condo tower on South Beach. Her majestic masterpiece will be called Plump Towers and acclaimed Oklahoma artist William Dimensions has designed a fairytale set in cotton candy colors as a backdrop to the action.

British actress Ellen Jameson disputes any resemblance to Evil Lina, but admits that as co–writer of “Sobe Wonderland,” she did draw on real people to make the character come to life. Cuban writer/producer Hector Valdes developed the “Sobe Wonderland” project over a period of three years. He was inspired by the flamboyant, colorful characters that make Miami Beach their home and was determined to dramatize their stories on stage. Hector collaborated with master musician Lucas Bailach to produce the original music for the show.

Playwrights Hector Valdes and Ellen Jameson produce a unique and powerful blend of Cuban fire and British ice, a winning combination. The production also benefits from the creative vision and expertise of highly respected South Florida director, Kim St. Leon.

Chicabella is brought to life by the gorgeous and fiery Latina actress, Maria de Jesus Castellon, who is currently filming a drama comedy movie called “9.04AM” which will be released next spring. Maria combines beauty with brains and has just graduated from Fort Lauderdale College of Art & Design as a graphic artist.

Sister Georgina takes as her role models, Barbie and Paris Hilton. She is a fashionista who would kill for the latest designer handbag and thinks working out means having a manicure and pedicure at the same time. Georgina is played by dynamic Josephine Fadith Bauza, a highly talented singer, songwriter and model. Josephine was a South Florida finalist on the hugely successful television talent show, “American Idol.” She sings and performs live every weekday on the Spanish language evening show, Channel 41, Calando-fuerte.

Second sister, Jebastacia is an eco warrior. She is passionate about saving the planet, stopping global warming and finding new methods of efficient waste management. She thinks world debt could be wiped out if her sister had plastic surgery and cut up all her credit cards. Character actress Carol Reinoso plays Jebastacia. Carol has appeared with many South Florida theatre companies and her brilliant comic timing ensures that her character Jebastacia – as in Jeb and George – will have audiences rocking with laughter.

The Grand Disco Ball is an all singing, all dancing extravaganza of fabulous costumes and glittering set designs, staged and choreographed by new arrival to Miami, Wisconsin’s Parker J. Cristan. Parker’s experience developing high energy entertainment showcases on international cruise liners ensures that “Sobe Wonderland” delivers audiences a truly memorable musical experience. Parker also appears as the lead character, Marcus, a magic mirror who sees all and revels in reflecting back to others their all too obvious character defects. As he enjoys saying, ‘a mirror never lies.’

The cast and creative team is drawn from experienced Fourth Dimension of South Beach company members, plus exciting new local talent.

The King of South Beach, King Dom Come, played by Actors’ Playhouse regular Larry Fields is deluded into thinking he is the other King, Elvis Presley. He is married to Her Royal Highness, the Queen of England, award-winning look-a-like, Judith Gindy.

Magic and mayhem are conjured up by flame haired actress JoAnn Tiberio who appears as a fairy God lawyer and with a wave of her magic pen tried to ensure that everyone lives happily ever after.

Mindful of the South Beach preoccupation with male as well as female beauty, other cast members include Juan R. Caraccioli, an actor and male model who hails from New Orleans, South American actor/model Stephan Joel Pinto, and, appearing as The Prince, Israeli actor, Ethan Klein.

There is something for everyone in “Sobe Wonderland – A Miami Fantasy”. You’ll love it!

“Sobe Wonderland” is playing at the Lincoln Road Community Church, Miami Beach, November 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 8pm; Thanksgiving weekend at Byron Carlyle Theatre, 500 71st Street, Miami Beach, November 24 and 25 at 8pm; Saturday afternoon November 25 at Byron Carlyle, matinee 3pm. Tickets: $20 general admission, Lincoln Road Community Church, discounts $15. $25 general admission, Byron Carlyle, discounts $20 children’s matinee $5. For tickets, visit TheaterMania.com or call 866-811-4111, visit www.4dsb.org, call 305-532-3740 or visit the Byron Carlyle box office.