Theater Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ (Musical Theatre West in Long Beach)

OOHS AND OZ

Just in time, a new, colorful and fun version of everyone’s childhood favorite movie is here in Long Beach. Musical Theatre West’s Royal Shakespeare version of The Wizard of Oz — a faithful recreation of the 1939 movie — which opened last Saturday at the Carpenter Center, isn’t just for kids. Over the years the RSC version has appeared on many stages and I’ve always heard good things about it – both the productions and the script, which was adapted by John Kane from the movie (the screenplay by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf oddly goes uncredited). I never saw it until the other night.

I admit being skeptical when I walked in – I’ve seen the movie dozens of times over the years and how could MTW — which uses performers from the community alongside the best from Broadway — begin to match it? I should have known better. We all have our own very distinct memories of The Wizard of Oz, but in this heartwarming, funny production — colorfully directed by Paige Price and choreographed by Jimmy Locust — the timeless messages of love and friendship and searching for home are just as relevant today. And, boy, do we need it now.

The true test though for anyone playing Dorothy is the ability to sing the iconic “Over the Rainbow.” Leianna Weaver belts it out of the park — and Kansas; she truly embraces the viewers. Dorothy is propelled by a twister from Kansas to the magical Land of Oz. And once the twister stops, the relative calm and beauty that follows is all pretty much by the L. Frank Baum book as Dorothy meets up with the Scarecrow (Erik Scott Romney, wobbly and passionate), Tinman (Michael James, dignified and vulnerable) and Cowardly Lion (William Hartery recreating Burt Lahr’s interpretation with panache), who must face all manner of threats from the Wicked Witch of the West (Erica Hanrahan evoking fear every time she makes an entrance — aided by foggy fire).

Also delivering the can’t-be-topped songs from Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, Sarah Uriarte Berry — exquisite in A Little Night Music at Pasadena Playhouse — steals all her scenes as both Good Witch Glinda and Auntie Em — aided by being able to fly for entrances and exits). Jason Graae, who also played The Wizard in the National Tour of Wicked, is rather understated here, occasionally improvising a laugh line.

The bright and dazzling costumes are by Bradley Allen Lock, and David Arsenault‘s set is drab when presenting Kansas and in Technicolor at Munchkin Land and Oz. And to have a full orchestra in the time when economics rule the theatrical landscape is the most magical thing of all — Ryan O’Connell and his band simply stun. OK, it ain’t Broadway, but it’s big and bold, so it’s really a family affair. I mean it — bring your children; it’s shows like this that will get them hooked on the arts.