In 1981, Meryl Streep starred in a stage production of Alice at the Palace — Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland — that was filmed for posterity (and, likely, to prove that this insanity did once actually happen).
In bringing 7-and-a-half year-old Alice to life, the future 18-time Oscar nominee found her wildest role ever. No, seriously. This thing is batshit crazy from start to finish.
As The King said in Alice in Wonderland, "Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop." But trust me, this movie is so insane, you may never be able to see Meryl Streep the same way ever again.
Even Alice's trippy journey down the rabbit hole can't properly prepare you for what's to come.
Alice lands with a thud in Wonderland and is immediately confronted with her first life- (and mood-) altering choice.
"Drink me!" says the bottle. "Don't do it!" says the representation of her mother. "Why so much tongue?" wonders the viewer.
Post-cocktail, Alice makes like all drunk people and dances a damn fool.
Then, she drinks more. Because this is clearly going so well, why not keep the crazy train rolling?
And does it ever, as Alice performs pelvic thrusts and sings an ode to her disappearing feet.
We're dancing again.
Darkness descends as Alice's iconic caterpillar makes his debut.
And Alice gets a hat that she loves. Like, a lot.
Suddenly the caterpillar turns into a man-baby (don't ask) — this is apparently an event worth celebrating with another dance!
Baby exits stage left and The Cheshire Cat enters, inviting Alice to sing in extreme close-up.
And guess what? They too dance like lunatics!
Alice encounters two tables next: One hosting The Mad Hatter's Tea Party and the other supporting The Red Queen (played by Debbie freakin' Allen).
Hey guys, remember that chapter in Lewis Carroll's book where Alice plays air guitar on a flamingo? Me either, but all bets are off in conceptual theater!
The lighthearted fun is short-lived as Alice is spun (quite literally) into her next adventure: squaring off with The Jabberwocky!
That means fighting! But, like, "dance-fighting" because, of course.
Eventually Alice bests her foe and celebrates the victory by, you guessed it, D-A-N-C-I-N-G!
Arch-enemy defeated, Alice is crowned the dancing queen of Wonderland.
But — twist! — it was all a dream. Or was it? No, seriously, I'm asking because I have no idea what the hell just happened.
