Stories can borrow. Stories can change. Stories can put on new clothes. Perhaps you’re familiar with the story of the little girl who chased…or followed… a white rabbit down a rabbit hole in her garden one afternoon? What if it was a little girl who was gazing up at the moon, trying to write lyrics for a song for her Moon Festival Celebration? A story that has borrowed…and put on new clothes. That beauty and wondrous strange fun is what’s occurring at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Fun Company as they kickoff their 2026/2027 season with Moon Festival Alice. A Fun Company original devised and directed by company member (and Artistic Director of the Fun Company) Julie Herber, Moon Festival Alice appears in partnership with the Asian American Center of Frederick, and takes the iconic literary tale of Alice in Wonderland and delves down the rabbit hole of Asian folklore, mythology, and storytelling.

Director, deviser, and creator Julie Herber is wearing multiple hats this production, including that of scenic (alongside scenic designer and artist Joann Foltz) and costume designer. And much like the play says, ‘borrowing’ and ‘wearing new clothes’ is exactly what Moon Festival Alice does. The scenery is simple yet innovative, a hanging hammock for young Alice to have her thoughts in (but the ceiling suspension hook allows for other fun things to hang!) with lanterns, the backyard fence, and a projection of the full moon (shoutout to lighting designer Cody James, who’s also responsible for all of the ‘dimming’ lights— a major concern and tragedy down the rabbit hole!) The costumes have flavors of Asian folklore that blend seamlessly into some of the familiar characters borrowed from Lewis Carroll’s works— the caterpillar and the silk threads that tie into the scenery as each story is told is a personal favorite. There are also whimsical wonders— like the nine-tailed fox— whose costumes exist magnificently of their own lore and legend and still flawlessly fit the overall aesthetic that Herber has crafted for the show.

Properties Designer Lori Boyd and Dragon Head Crafter Lynn Sharp Spears pull a world of whimsical creations together to further the exploration of the story. Personal favorites, in addition to that magnificent dragon head, include the sparkling tower of Moon Cakes, which look so authentically scrumptious it’s difficult to not leap out of the audience and try to eat one! Pulling the creative elements together, Sound Designer Shayden Jamison adds in some beautiful aural effects, often synchronizing with Cody James’ light work for some heightened excitement.

The play itself is full of heart, exploring the notions of the importance of old stories and how they are handed down through generations and what happens when the stories aren’t being honored or told and what happens when people make assumptions merely by looking at a story rather than listening to it. The ensemble nature of this devised piece lends itself to the core attributes of both the Maryland Ensemble Theatre and its Fun Company, engaging all of the characters in equal measure with parts of each other’s stories as they unfold. There are valuable lessons tucked inside each of the character encounters, whether it is Alice with her real family preparing for and then celebrating the Moon Festival or Alice and the way she interacts with each of the fantasy creatures down the rabbit hole. One of the most important lessons highlighted in this engaging theatrical tale is that of the dragon, whose story deserves to be heard. And the stories— both of Alice in her real life and Alice as she encounters the magical entities of the Moon Realm— above all encourage everyone in the audience to always keep an open mind, always keep learning, don’t think you know or that there’s a time to stop growing and learning.

One of the most beautiful moments is when Alice encounters the Nine-Tailed Fox (Helen Cheng-Mao) who explains how many different Asian cultures view her character, that she is not just one entity, despite humans needing to put things in their distinctive little boxes. Cheng-Mao even makes a Pokemon reference, which not only lands with young Alice but delights many of us in the audience who know exactly what she’s talking about. The performance engages five performers— at this performance Angelica Ramos as Caterpillar and others, Ember Pak as Alice, Alex Ramos as Rabbit, Alexander Ose as the Hatter and others, and Helen Cheng-Mao as Nine-Tailed Fox and others— in both narrative worlds, all of which revolve around Alice, culture, and rich traditions, showcasing fluidly how culture can still be learned, honored, and appreciated, even when the stories change. And sometimes if they don’t change, no one will want to continue telling them because they always stay the same.

As Alice, Ember Pak is precious and lively but also wildly grounded for someone that character’s age. The mother starts by saying that her head is always up in the clouds, but when she’s interacting with the various fantastical entities in the Moon Realm, she has some carefully composed responses that showcase maturity beyond what her years might imply while also maintaining that sense of playful innocence; Alice just wants to be a child but also wants to respect the stories and remember what’s important. It’s a beautiful dichotomy of what ‘growing up’ can look like. Alex Ramos is our twitchy jumpy rabbit and has a signature move, that often feels like it’s been specifically timed to some of the original music (composed by Angelica Ramos) to heighten the existence of the character, it feels quite magical. Ramos and Pak are the two in the performance whose characters do not deviate from their original assignment, though they are having just as much fun and engaging just as much as the other three involved in the performance. All five performers take turns ‘reading’ Caterpillar (at the performance Angelica Ramos’) story threads as they unwind. When Caterpillar first asks “Who are you?” and Alice responds with her name, there’s a profound response of “…that’s not what I asked…” and that hits deep for adults in the audience, because who are we beyond our names? This play has moments for everyone, the young and the young at heart and it strikes profoudn chords with its lessons.

It’s a remarkable opportunity for young audiences and those young at heart to enjoy a whimsical new approach to Alice and her rabbit hole adventures with an Asian cultural experience that is both informative, entertaining, and above all, fun. Moon Festival Alice is a delightful experience and should be seen and enjoyed by all.

Running Time: Approximately 40 minutes with no intermission

Moon Festival Alice plays through October 18^th 2026 as a MET Fun Company production on the Fun Company Stage at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre in the Historic FSK Hotel building— 31 W. Patrick street in downtown historic Frederick, MD. For tickets call the box office at (301) 694-4744 or purchase them online.