This year’s musical production by the drama department was the iconic, “Wizard of Oz”. Being a fan of the original 1934, film adaptation of Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland as Dorothy, I had high hopes that the drama department would do the story justice. The last musical I’ve seen from the department was “Legally Blonde” two years ago. That performance was amazing, so I had no doubt that the Thespians could pull it off.
The show opened with a gray house backdrop that had all characters dressed in gray-toned clothing, to signify the black and white setting of Kansas used in the 1934 film. The role of Dorothy’s canine companion Toto was uniquely played as a puppet with a student controlling the puppet while also displaying facial expressions and mannerisms that the dog possessed. The overall setting of Kansas, I feel, was true to the time period and the mood.
In the opening setting the performance of “Over the Rainbow” by the lead actress was done beautifully. Also in the opening scene Dorothy is upset with her friends who do not assist her in rescuing Toto. She scolded them for not having brains, or a heart, or courage. These characters reemerge in Oz as the characters of Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion. The setup of this idea in the beginning of the story was blatant and worked for the progression of the play.
What made the musical stand out was the use of lighting and props. In the transition scene between Kansas and Oz, the use of hand shadows and streamers created the illusion of a twister. Green light upon one actresses face was also used to signify the Wicked Witch of the West. When the story line finally reaches Oz, the colors of costumes and props were very vibrant. Many of the Munchkins were actually played by children. As Dorothy makes her way through Oz, she meets with the Scare Crow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. All three had a wide vocal range and gave a great performance that was true to their character. The actress playing the wicked witch also had a performance that was true to character as well, with her piercing laugh and wicked attitude.
The “Wizard of Oz” was a phenomenal show to watch. The use of intricate props and lighting really brought out the essence of Oz, for instance, the Wicked Witches broom as a rolling ladder, and the poppies and trees as umbrellas, especially with the Wizard as a glow in the dark face of tubes. The musical in my opinion was an overall success.
Rate: 4 out of 5 stars
Explanation: The acting, intricate props, and costumes, made the musical a colorful experience. The only setback was the mic issues which happened a couple of times during the performance. Each actor committed to their character and gave a performance that gave the full experience of the story.