Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ

THE WIZARD OF OZ is at the Belk Theater including matinee performances this weekend. Every adult and child should experience this magical story developed from the MGM screenplay, THE WIZARD OF OZ. The Oscar® winning score contains iconic songs including Over the Rainbow, and Arrival in Munchkinland/Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead, along with new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tickets are on sale at Blumenthal Performing Arts Belk Theater, Belk Theater box office: 704-372-1000.

Watching this classic brought me back to my childhood and the joy of watching characters encompassing such heart. The first time I saw the MGM classic, even though I had a black and white TV, I still imagined all the colors of Munchkinland in all of its movie splendor. It was years later, that I saw the movie on the big screen, when I noticed all the set detail including live peacocks. THE WIZARD OF OZ at Belk Theater, captures the awe and splendor of L. Frank Baum's fantasy with the creative work of Scenic and Costume Designer, Robert Jones, Lighting Designer, Hugh Vanstone and the terror of the tornado created dramatically with animation onscreen, by Video Projection Designer, Jon Driscoll. Dorothy, played by Sarah Lasko, was perfectly cast and had an incredible voice. I was also taken with the voice of the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Shani Hadjian.

This is a pet peeve of mine, I don't like actors intimating (not fully completing a task, just hinting at it), it breaks the reality that actors are trying so hard to achieve. In the opening scene, Antie Em has newly hatched chicks that need to be kept warm. The incubator is broken. She asks Uncle Henry to help her cover the chicks with a tarp (they don't open it.) She starts counting the chicks (for what reason?). Finally, she opens the tarp and the crate roles easily to warmth. In reality, Antie Em would have rolled that crate of chicks into warmth hours ago.

The aerial entrance of Glinda, played by Rachel Womble, was spectacular, as her glittering dress spread across the entire stage. All of the characters were well cast, I would have though, liked more time to establish the caring relationship between Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion. It seemed the script's one-liners, although humorous, replaced times for emotion and care and made heartfelt intention flippant. Perhaps one didn't have to diminish the other.

Toto, played by Nigel, and trained by William Berloni, was terrific as Dorothy's sidekick, family and friend.

Arlene Phillips included enjoyable choreography. I liked the unique use of the Winkies' staves. The soldiers split them in two and used them as percussion instruments in Hail, Hail! The Witch Is Dead.

I have always questioned THE WIZARD OF OZ message. Historians meander through Baum's symbolism of the yellow brick road, a metaphor for the gold standard. I though, always received the message that we should appreciate what is in our own backyard, because that is what connects us. Dorothy didn't leave to find something better, she left because Miss Gulch was going to have Toto killed, so I always questioned the message of "there's no place like home." Dorothy returning home would put her dog in danger. This play added an ending that Miss Gulch softens and decides not to have Toto killed. The child sitting behind me commented to her mother that she liked this much better than the movie. THE WIZARD OF OZ is a must see! I was the last audience member in the theater. I stayed listening to the sounds until the orchestra played the last note.

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