By Carol Davis
SAN DIEGO– During the intermission of the latest incarnation of the L. Frank Baum’ book, the John Kane adaptation of “Wizard of Oz” I chatted with a tyke munching on a cookie. “How do you like the show so far?” I asked? Being non-committal in front of a stranger, her Mom piped up and told me she loved it. The Munchkins in back of me were a little worldlier, however. They knew everything and everyone connected with this particular production.
If they ever saw the movie version, they would know that not too much has changed from the 1939 MGM movie version starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale who lives with her aunt Em, Uncle Henry and a trio of farm hands Hunk, Zeke, and Hickory.
When we meet Dorothy (Kate Bristol), she’s not having a very good day. Her dog Toto (Dusty) bit the neighborhood grouch, Miss Gulch (Pat Sibley who is also great as the green faced Wicked Witch of the West) and now she wants to take the dog away from her.
In a panic Dorothy runs away with Toto but is encouraged by the shaman, Professor Marvel (Robert John Biedermann), to return home because everyone will be worried about her. Just as she comes on to the farm strong winds and a tornado (Second Hand Productions created the projections of a mighty storm) sweep both Dorothy and her house up, up and away finally dropping them both down (on the Wicked Witch of the West) in the Land of Oz where Dorothy meets The Good Witch of the North (Sarah Amandes is also Aunt Em).
This touring version shouldn’t disappoint anyone under the age of twelve and this is exactly the audience Broadway/San Diego is looking to entertain. Starting off with the charming Kate Bristol singing “Over The Rainbow” to a bevy of Munchkins from the La Jolla based J* Company to Glinda the Good Witch of the North to Pat Selby’s Wicked Witch of the West all decked out in Tom McQuillen-Wright’s colorful costumes the show zips along under Nigel West’s direction and Leigh Constantine’s choreography. The famous music and lyrics are by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.
Kate Bristol is no Garland, but then again, Garland was a one and only. Bristol however is convincing enough to carry her audiences along with her on this wonderful and sometimes frightening journey where she meets up with all kinds of creatures friendly and then not so friendly. Most fun could be found in Scarecrow (Andrew Haserlat), Tin man (Beau Hutchings) and Lion (Jesse Coleman). They have their shtick down pat and they are Good.
Overall, all’s well that ends well. The scarecrow seeks his brain, the lion, his courage and the tin man, his heart and the path along the yellow brick road finally brings Dorothy and her friends to Emerald City where they meet the Wizard and Dorothy is finally able to go back to Kansas.
Wicked the musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holtzman based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire premiered on Broadway in 2003 is currently the 17th longest running show in Broadway history. It has been to San Diego twice and is scheduled to come back for the 2012 season. It’s the back-story of Elphaba or the Wicked Witch of the West and it’s delicious. The sequel, “Son if a Witch” is equally entertaining but gets a little darker. And all this from a children’s story.
Hurry with your own Munchkin and hit the yellow brick road to the Civic Theatre where magic lives in the Land of Oz. There are two performances today and two tomorrow (Sunday, Feb 20).
See you at the theatre.
Organization: Broadway/San Diego
Phone: 619-570-1100
Production Type: Musical
Where: 1100 Third Ave., downtown
Ticket Prices: $20.00-$112.00
Web: broadway.com
Venue: Civic Theatre
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Davis is a San Diego-based theatre critic. She may be contacted at carol.davis@sdjewishworld.com