Dan Myers
Teddy Warren as Tinman, Alex Brick as Scarecrow, Delanie Kinney as Dorothy(with Roxy as Toto) and Shawn Goodman Jones as Cowardly Lion.
Approaching a stage version of The Wizard of Oz, it’s hard not to think of Judy Garland and the iconic 1939 movie as the definitive version of the story of a girl from Kansas who is caught up in a tornado and transported to a magical land of munchkins, witches, a Yellow Brick Road and ruby slippers. But gifted director and choreographer Brian Cowing has created a production for Children’s Theater of Madison that is remarkably refreshing and inventive.
Running through March 26 in the Playhouse at Overture Center, this Wizard of Oz pays homage to the movie, but uses the cultural touchstone as a jumping-off place for creative interpretation. The result is an absolutely delightful show that reminds audiences of what they love about the MGM classic, but does not try to imitate it. Instead, there are plenty of surprises and inspired bits of stage magic that will make audiences fall in love with Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow in a whole new way.
The set, by scenic designer Steve Barnes, makes much of this magic possible. Framed by a stained glass-esque arch reminiscent of a picture window in an old house, the stage is composed of several curving ramps that encircle a large revolving platform. This allows the large cast to play on multiple levels, while cleverly recreating the walk down the Yellow Brick Road, and of course, the fateful twister that brought Dorothy to Oz. Lighting Designer Greg Hoffmann adds his own magical touches, with more than 500 LED lights installed behind the translucent arch. Stunning rainbows, emerald tones of Oz and many more beautiful effects make the entire stage glow.
The cast, clad in spectacular costumes by Andrea Bouck, animates the show with energy and sincerely original riffs on the classic characters. The traveling trio of Tinman (Teddy Warren), Cowardly Lion (Shawn Goodman Jones) and Scarecrow (Alex Brick) are a joy to watch as they embark on their quest for a heart, brains and courage. Their strong singing voices deliver each character’s dilemma, along with comical physicality; Brick seems boneless as he dances on his legs made of straw; Warren struggles mightily to move his stiff, rusty limbs; and Jones positively charms when he grabs his tail in fright.
As the professor and the man behind the curtain, Mark Snowden is an adorable, bespectacled sham, a flim-flam man who is in over his head. Here his efforts to fool most of the people most of the time aren’t sinister, they are almost apologetic; he is as lost in Oz as Dorothy is.
And what would this marvelous, magical tale be without a fantastic wicked witch? Sarah Streich brings a dazzling cackle to the role, delighting in the mischief she’s making instead of wallowing in evil. With a shocking mop of magenta hair under her black hat, her beautiful singing voice delivers maniacal plans for Dorothy’s demise; it’s almost disappointing when she melts away.
But just as Judy Garland was the center of the film, Dorothy is the undeniable star of this show. Edgewood High School junior Delanie Kinney is pitch perfect as the headstrong farm girl with dreams of going home. From her brown pigtails to her sparkling red shoes, she is every inch a young woman who is amazed, indignant, passionate and scared. But underneath she is braver, wiser and stronger than she realizes. Kinney’s gorgeous voice easily transforms the well-worn “Over the Rainbow” into a fresh ballad of adolescent wonder and longing. Onstage, she fully embodies each moment, from dancing the jitterbug to marveling at a cleverly devised field of poisonous poppies, to challenging the Wizard to deliver on his promises.
The only sour notes in the production are small. The chorus of tiny munchkins is vocally thin and made up of very young and less-seasoned performers, who occasionally scanned the audience on opening night, looking for their parents. Also pre-recorded tracks of local musicians provide the accompaniment for the musical, which works well most of the time. But when overly exuberant young performers came in several measures before their cue, there was no maestro to react and catch up to the singers.
Overall, this trip to Oz is a triumph of stagecraft and a showcase for some of the area’s finest performers. Start your journey down the Yellow Brick Road as soon as you can — this production is not to be missed.
