Now on stage at the beautiful Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak is Stagecrafters' current production, The Wizard of Oz. This mega musical finishes out a highly successful season for the amazingly talented group. If you are looking for something different from Judy Garland's version, this one has just the right amount of difference to make it interesting without losing the magic of the L. Frank Baum story.
The show begins in 50 shades of gray; all color is suppressed. Unlike Garland's version, this Dorothy (Gabrielle Phillps) is a bit more sassy and bold in the way she deals with her Kansas colleagues. Munchkinland is quite different from the MGM version; here, they love the color blue - and everything is a glorious rendering of that skyward color beyond the rainbow. Even Glinda (Randi Hamilton) is decked out in blue from her hair to her shoes, totally different from the golden brown fairy in the pink dress played by Billie Burke.
You will see scenes totally different from the film - I loved the three black crows, three apple trees, and a complete jitterbug routine. The performance by Matthew Miga (Hickory/Scarecrow) was awesome, mindboggling and nothing short of amazing. He was agile, spritely, and had a million volts of energy in him. I loved the tap dance by The Tin Man (Bradley Ellison) accompanied by his arborites, and the gorgeous voice of The Lion (Jerry Haines) rivaled anything Bert Lahr could pull off. The Guard of Emerald City (Rich Wilson) gave an excellent performance - not too campy and not too stuffy.
Randy Wrisinger has a sixth sense for picking great talent that audiences will love to see. This show is a real winner - you can't lose! The Wizard of Oz runs through June 22.
Advance tickets for performances are $20 on Thursdays, $22 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets may be purchased online at www.stagecrafters.org (online handling fees apply) or by phone at 248-541-6430 using Visa or MasterCard. All seats are reserved. If shows have not sold out, tickets can be purchased at the box office one hour prior to the performance for an additional $2.00 per ticket. Student, military and senior discounts are available for specific performances. The Baldwin Theatre is located at 415 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak.
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The Wizard of Oz Cast and Crew by Community
Jerry Haines Zeke/Lion Berkley
Kate Bagdon Munchkin Beverly Hills
Gabriel Farnetti-Gerstler Lollipop Guild Birmingham
Don Gerstler Ensemble Birmingham
Carter Montri Barrister Birmingham
Cassie Najor Ensemble Birmingham
Harper Hodgson Ensemble Chesterfield
Therese Wisnewski Chorus Clarkston
Coleen Genette Chorus Clawson
Nicholas Genette Fiddler Clawson
Emilie McClelland Chorus Clawson
Lucy McClelland Munchkin Clawson
Reese McClelland Munchkin Clawson
Ron Otulakowski Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz Eastpointe
Jo-Jo Troia Toto Farmington Hills
Bill Glace Uncle Henry Ferndale
Randi Hamilton Glinda Ferndale
Eric Henrickson Ensemble Ferndale
Matthew Miga Hickory/Scarecrow Ferndale
Nancy Zott Ensemble Ferndale
Deanna Daly Chorus Harrison Twp
Bill Davenport Chorus Lake Orion
Gabrielle Phillps Dorothy Lake Orion
Cole Skory Flying Monkey Lathrup Village
Spencer Clark Mayor Lincoln Park
Buddy VanLoon Ensemble Oak Park
Regan Castle Ensemble Pleasant Ridge
Grace Seyferth Munchkin Rochester
Nancy Cannava Chorus Rochester Hills
Erica Battle Producer Royal Oak
Brendan Battle Flying Monkey Royal Oak
Ed Berger Chorus Royal Oak
Alexa Dewey Munchkin Royal Oak
Billy Dixon Ensemble Royal Oak
Jeanne Dolson Producer Royal Oak
Helen Frizzo Auntie Em Royal Oak
Bailey Golding Chorus Royal Oak
Madeline Golding Munchkin Royal Oak
Tina Golding-Jewett Chorus Royal Oak
Bryan Hanes Coroner Royal Oak
Ethan Heckman Lollipop Guild Royal Oak
Stephanie Schim Chorus Royal Oak
Liz Schultz Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch Royal Oak
Sarah Soraghan Munchkin Royal Oak
Randy Wrisinger Director Royal Oak
Rich Wilson Guard of Emerald City/Ensemble Royal Oak
Jo Woods Chorus Royal Oak
Bradley Ellison Hunk/Tin Man Southfield
Meredith Ellison Chorus Southfield
Christiana Perrault Ensemble Southfield
Alan Semonian Chorus Southfield
Jacob Burns Flying Monkey Sterling Heights
Meg Brokenshire Ensemble Troy
Mandy Marsili Munchkin Troy
Kulin Oak Lollipop Guild Troy
Kevin Mazur Ensemble Warren
Photo by Lance Luce and Colleen Muench
Photo by Lance Luce and Colleen Muench
Photo by Lance Luce and Colleen Muench
Photo by Lance Luce and Colleen Muench
Photo by Lance Luce and Colleen Muench
Photo by Lance Luce and Colleen Muench
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