What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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he snuck us into the cave almost two decades ago. I love history and being inside the cave, seeing the ballroom and the bar, all still there and right in front of me, it just set my imagination wild. I remember standing in the middle of the dance floor just thinking 'this really is a Wonderland.'" When she started to develop the "Wonderland Cave" script, Bradley spent three years studying the history of the Bella Vista attraction, C.A. Linebarger and club operator Whitey T. May. In addition to mountains of files from the Bella Vista Historical Museum, she was able to connect with the granddaughters of C.A. Linebarger, Ann Linebarger Boyd and Carol Linebarger, as well as interview the daughter of Whitey T. May, Constance (Connie) May Waddell. "They provided amazing insight into C.A. and Whitey's life, what it took to make Wonderland a reality, and the legacy the cave has been for their families," Bradley enthuses. "They were each such a treasure to speak with! Both of Connie's parents worked at Wonderland Cave and ran C.A.'s resort! She shared stories of her beautiful mother dancing in the cave with such vivid descriptions that re-creating it on screen became a beautiful experience of celebrating the past while honoring the present. There's entire scenes based on details shared by the family — even down to the dialogue. It's important to me that the family feels honored and proud of the film." Bradley was also fortunate to find a cave where she could make the magic happen — The Cave Bar & Grill just across the state line in Missouri. "With the support of Theresa from The Cave Bar & Grill, an incredible art department (the father- daughter duo, Zak and Sam Morris), as well as just an amazing film crew all around, we were able to turn The Cave Bar & Grill into Wonderland Cave in 1930 and get jaw-droppingly beautiful footage," she says. "The Cave Bar & Grill has this gorgeous entrance with sweeping vines across the top of the cave and this HUGE flat floor that's just perfect for dancing! We were so grateful for such a perfect location and to have a sponsor who was so kind and supportive of the project. "Filming so far has been an incredible experience," Bradley adds, but even though she shared the "first look trailer" at the 2022 Fayetteville Film Festival, there's still more to do. "At Sundance I'll have the opportunity to share the trailer and network with major producers and other filmmakers, as well as pitch the film to studios and distributors," she says excitedly. "I feel like the reality for the film could actually be better than anything I ever dreamed. It's such a beautiful story and project, [and] I'm blessed that so many have recognized its potential at an early stage and that even more are buying into the project now with the 'first look trailer' complete. "The ultimate goal is to share the film globally and for it to be the project that serves as a catapult for the careers of all who are involved." JANUARY 8-14, 2023 WHAT'S UP! 39 PRESIDENT Brent A. Powers EDITOR Becca Martin-Brown 479-872-5054 bmartin@nwaonline.com Twitter: NWAbecca REPORTERS Monica Hooper mhooper@nwaonline.com April Wallace awallace@nwaonline.com (479) 770-3746 DESIGNER Deb Harvell ! UP WHAT'S ON THE COVER Krista Bradley as jazz singer Faye Chambers gets ready to sing at the Wonderland Cave with the help of Bella Vista's Gladys May, a host at Wonderland Cave and the Sunset Hotel (portrayed by Pam Renall) in Bradley's film, "Wonderland Cave." (COURTESY PHOTO) What's Up! is a publication of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. COVER STORY Wonderland Continued From Page 9 Don Willis as C.A. Linebarger (center) introduces jazz singer and moonshiner Faye Chambers (Krista Bradley) and undercover federal agent John Calderon (Heath Adam Cates) in "Wonderland Cave." (Courtesy Photo) Diego Rodriguez is director of photography for "Wonderland Cave," while Krista Bradley is the film's writer, director and star. (Courtesy Photo)