Theater Review: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Picking an iconic musical movie for the high school winter production is a tricky task considering that this show, in particular, has been shown on television so many times that it's been immortalized by multiple generations. However, ’s version of "The Wizard of Oz" is most certainly an honest effort to pay tribute to this classic.

The Play:

“The Wizard of Oz” was written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum. Baum dedicated the book "to my good friend & comrade, my wife", Maud Gage Baum. Music and lyrics of the MGM motion picture score were by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.

The Troupe:

Directed by Jessica Bosak; produced by Kathleen Richter; musical director Tim Caskin; music accompianist Phyllis Power; choreographer Brittany Bosak

Dorothy Gale — Briana Pagano

Aunt Em — Wendy Peterson

Uncle Henry/Wizard of Oz — Tim Gadomski

Zeke — Nicholos Mackey

Hickory — Connor Whittle

Hunk — Max Mastrangelo

Cowardly Lion — John Drinkwater

Tinman — Mathew Drinkwater

Scarecrow — Peter Peterson

Professor Marvel — Shyann Droege

Glinda the Good Witch — Rachael Bofinger

Wicked Witch of the West — Kaitlin McElroy

Munchkinland Coroner — Shayne Jones

Munchkinland Mayor — Dawn Angevine

Winkie General — Edgar Pocasangre

The Plot:

Lonely and sad Kansas farm girl Dorothy Gale dreams of a better place, without torment against her dog Toto from a hateful neighbor spinster, so she runs away only to have second thoughts. When she returns home a fierce tornado hits the farm, she is struck on the head and transported to a land 'beyond the rainbow' where she meets magical characters from her Kansas life transformed within her unconscious dream state. After traveling down a Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, and the defeat of the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and her friends are rewarded by the Wizard of Oz with their hearts' desires - and Dorothy is enabled to return home to Kansas.

The Interpretation:

This play featured interesting casting choices in regards to not double-casting the folks from Kansas with those of the Land of Oz. The “If I only had a Brain” number had influences of cabaret in it, and it was great that the director and musical director included the “jitterbug” in this production. This scene was actually cut out of the movie, but for this version it added something new and unexpected.

The Set:

Was simple, but conveyed the general purpose of the scenes.

The Costumes:

Dine Peterson's and Kathy Wallace’s Tin Man costume were excellent. The converse All-Star sneakers that Glinda the Good Witch was wearing was hilarious.

The High Points:

Briana Pagano as Dorothy Gale is the show. She drives it straight through to the end. Her energy onstage and engagement with the other actors is excellent. She keeps not only the show, but the other actors focused. Another highlight is Mathew Drinkwater as the Tinman. From the first rusted mumblings until that last tearful farewell, he was on. Other notables included John Drinkwater as the Cowardley Lion; Rachael Bofinger as Glinda the Good Witch; Kaitlin McElroy as the Wicked Witch of the West; and Dawn Angevine as the Mayor of Munchkinland. Also a tip of the hat to Dory Lieblein who as a member of the chorus in several numbers, was consistently present, engaged and always had a smile on her face.

"The Wizard of Oz" continues Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students and seniors and $8 for adults.