Who knew life down a rabbit hole could be this fun?

Lewis Carroll's beloved "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" has been on the stage almost as long as it's been in print. One early example is "Alice in Wonderland," a musical play which appeared at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London in 1886.

The East Mountain Centre for Theatre is continuing the tradition beginning this weekend, with an original script by director Lou Ann Graham.

The musical adaptation follows closely to Carroll's original tale of a curious little girl named Alice who follows a white rabbit down a hole and discovers a world full of madness and nonsense.

"Alice in Wonderland," will be performed Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at Vista Grade Community Center, 15 La Madera Rd. in Sandia Park. It will also be showing the following weekend at the same times.

Writer and director Graham also wrote and directed a children's show for the summer theatre program for EMCT this summer.

Her goal, in retelling "Alice" on the stage, was to stay true to Carroll's original story, steering clear of later versions with different characters and plot.

"It's not the same show," Graham said.

There is a cast of 20, and many in the cast have two roles. The show was first performed in San Francisco, Graham said, where Graham and husband Ross founded the American Conservatory Theatre's Young Conservatory.

Graham, who is also the younger sister of TV legend and "I Love Lucy" star Vivian Vance, said the actors in the East Mountains, both young and old, have prepared a fantastic production. But the show isn't complete without a little madness.

"Our theme here is we're all a little mad," she jokes.

The show is complete with favorite characters such as the Cheshire cat, mad hatter and march hare, queen of hearts and the white rabbit Alice chases down the hole.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older and students; kids are $8 for those 11 and younger.

Reservations can be made online at www.eastmountaintheatre.org, or by calling 286-1950. Cash or check can be accepted at the door, but not credit cards.

There are two more shows in the EMCT's 2009-10 season. "Steel Magnolias," will be performed Feb. 13-28; and Neil Simon's "Prisoner of Second Avenue," will be on stage April 17-May 2 at Vista Grande. Auditions for "Steel Magnolias" will be held Jan. 3-4 at the East Mountain High School commons building.