BWW Interviews: Carousel Theatre's THE WIZARD OF OZ Preview with Darren Burkett

When I was younger, I performed with a few childrens theatre companies and took dance and voice lessons.  Mostly though, I've learned by doing.  I've been fortunate enough to have been in shows with performers that I've looked up to for years.  I just do my best to soak in everything that I can from them!

This isn't your first Carousel show - can you tell us about your experience in performing in a TYA show that might be different than other shows? What do you like about theatre for young audiences? 

The thing that I love about working with Carousel is that they never pander to their audience, even though it's geared toward kids.  At the end of the day, we're telling a story and we have to be as truthful to that as possible.  If Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) is done well, there really isn't much difference in approach.

Performing in the shows though is a little different.  The kids are so in the show with you, that occasionally, they'll respond and call out during the show.  I love it!  It's such an interesting added element.  Kids are very honest, and if they like something, or conversely don't like something, they're going to let you know.  It's the joy of performing in front of a live audience ramped up a hundred times.

I have wanted to play the Scarecrow from the moment I first saw the movie when I was a kid (I even dressed up as the Scarecrow from Halloween as a kid).  So when Carole asked me to play the role, my first reaction was extreme joy followed almost immediately by extreme fear!  When there are roles that you love so much, there's a constant fear that you're going to screw them up.  That being said, a couple of things that I've done is that I've made the conscious effort not to watch the movie (I probably haven't seen it in it's entirety in 5 years or so) so that I can bring my own take to the role and not feel like I need to create what Ray Bolger did, no matter how brilliant it was.

The Scarecrow to me is actually the smartest character in the show; he's young, effervescent and full of life.  His problem is he's just excruciatingly naive so comes across as brainless and doesn't recognize his own genious.  His journey to Oz with his friends helps him realize his potential, he really grow up and becomes a man.

This is a slightly scaled back version of the musical for TYA. Can you give us some insight into some of the changes that have been made?

If you're worried that the show will be different, not to worry; the story is the same and the songs that you love will all be there.  When you're doing The Wizard of Oz with 10 actors in a theatre as intimate as The Waterfront Theatre, simplicity is key.  As I said earlier, we're really concentrating on telling the story.  There will be fun special effects, of course, but it isn't all about that.  In the end, it's a beautiful story about a girl trying to find her place in the world, and we're going to do our best to tell it.  

Why should people come to see The Wizard of Oz this holiday season? 

Coming to a Carousel show during the holidays has become tradition for many Vancouver-area families and The Wizard of Oz is all about a girl finding her home and realizing how important her family is.  What would put you in a holiday mood more than spending time with your loved ones?  It's appropriate for all ages so bring everyone from age 4 to 99 - we love having multi-generational families join us!

What's next for you?

The next thing up for me is actually a new venture.  I'm producing and acting in Glory Days - The Musical at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre with fellow local actors Adam Charles, Brandyn Eddy and Colin Sheen.  It's an exciting endeavour to take on.  It's going to be great!  After that, I'm going to be reprising my role as the Snail in A Year With Frog and Toad at Carousel Theatre.  I'm very excited to get my shell back on!

Carousel Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz begins performances on December 2nd, and runs until December 31st at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island. Tickets are available through the Carousel Theatre website.