Toby's Wonderful "Wizard of Oz"

SHOW INFORMATION:  Through June 8.  Performance schedule and prices vary.  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or call 1-866-99TOBYS for reservations and more information.

◊◊◊◊◊ out of five.  2 hours, 15 minutes, plus intermission.  Family friendly!

The real proof of just how excellent The Wizard of Oz is at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore is in the behavior of its audience, a third of which was small children.  They sat, mouths agape, grins wide, and completely captivated for the ENTIRE production, and that includes regaining their attention after an intermission.  They, and the rest of us, oohed and ahhed as wave after wave of color and stage magic poured forth.  And let me tell you, director/choreographers David James and Darren McDonnell clearly know a thing or two about stage magic.  The complete value of a Toby's experience has been well chronicled on this site and elsewhere, but I have to say this production tops them all in terms of sheer talent and stage spectacle! To say you get your money's worth is the understatement of the year.  So aside from the elaborate sets and costumes, and the production's ability to keep the little ones' attention, why does this piece work so well?  The answer is two parts simple.  First, they have taken a beloved classic and left it, for the most part, alone.  That is, all the classic lines and songs are there, and each performer does a winning tribute to the actors in the film.  Second, the entire company has made this a fresh, urgent performance, treated with the same gusto as any other show they do.  This is no thrown together "kiddie show;" this is pure musical theatre that takes all of the conventions and thrill of live theatre and amps them up to their fullest.

Dave Eske's endlessly creative and Technicolor settings are a marvel.  Each creates the mood and place vividly, and is remarkably complex and simple all at once.  Perhaps even more fantastic is how he maximizes the tight stage space by making most large set pieces double-sided.  We get a fully realized farm house, a precious Munchkinland, a truly scary witch's castle, and a truly wonderful Emerald City.  Lynn Joslin's lights add infinitely to the look of the show and figure prominently in the comings and goings of one Glinda of the North.  The sets and lights are matched by eye-popping costumes, designed by Larry Munsey.  The detail on the Munchkin costumes is almost mind-boggling, and how they are presented is both practical and clever (and boy, does it look like fun…I'd love to be a Munchkin for a day!).  Equally detailed and completely exquisite are his designs for the Citizens of Oz – as good as or better than Wicked, no lie!  But, of course, the stars of the show are of the most curiosity and scrutiny, and Mr. Munsey has done a marvelous job creating unique and practical renditions of the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion (see the great pictures by Kirstine Christiansen throughout this article as proof)!

Mr. McDonnell and Mr. James have created a seamless, fast paced production that reminded me of just how annoying TV presentations are with all of those blasted commercials.  Their attention to detail is impressive, and their choreography is creative, interesting and fun.  What is most impressive here is the staging of scenes you'd think unstageable.  But with these two on the job, it really should come as no surprise that the tornado, for example, is ingenious – a mixture of dance, special effect and intensity.  Congratulations to both on a truly wonderful job bringing an old classic to life and with such vitality.

Of course, the cast can make or break a production, but considering the lineup of local stars in this one it would be a shock to report even a small flaw.  And there are really no flaws to report from top to bottom.  The ensemble here does yeoman's work – each has what must be at least a half dozen costume changes, and I don't mean from one dress to another, either.  I mean a full costume from say a munchkin outfit –hat, wig, clothes, unique shoes and make up, to perhaps a crow or an apple tree, then to a dancing poppy, and finally an Ozian.  It is exhausting to even contemplate, but that the entire ensemble (Frank Anthony, Bryan Daniels, Jordan Klein, Steve Love, Joshua Singer, Laura Keena, Rebecca Fale Chiu, Shoshana Rose, Mary Searcy and Kate Williams) also creates completely separate characters is no less than amazing.

Daniel McDonald (The Full Monty, Titanic) is a loveable hoot as Uncle Henry and cheeky as the Mayor of Munchkin City, and is perfectly paired with the always delightful Heather Marie Beck (Little Shop of Horrors)who is all sincerity and severity as Auntie Em, and a beautifully dreamy Glinda the Good Witch.  Both look to be having a great time.  Also terrific is Kevin McAllister (Ragtime, ArtScentric's AIDA) who plays, among other things, Professor Marvel and the Wizard himself.  It is nice to see his humorous side.

Tina Marie DeSimone (Grease!)has perhaps the second most daunting task of the evening – playing the Wicked Witch of the West, an iconic role if ever there was one.  I am happy to report, though hardly surprised considering her immense talents, that Ms. DeSimone has found a deliciously evil way to make the part her own while paying homage to the late, great Margaret Hamilton.  And, yes, she's plenty scary!

The trio of gentlemen that support Dorothy Gale on her journey home are, all three award worthy.  David James (Little Shop of Horrors), in fact won a Helen Hayes award for his role as the Scarecrow from a production several years ago.  What a pleasure to say that his dancey, rubbery performance as that stuffed nice guy is as fresh as if he had never played the part!  Adam Grabau (Titanic, Little Shop of Horrors), the only one of the three never to have played his role – the Tin Man – before,  is superb – an enticing blend of protective brother, and lovelorn bachelor – and he gives the role a depth and, yes, heart, that is sometimes missing in other actors' portrayals.  David Bosley Reynolds (The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof) continues to bring unparalleled excellence to yet another role.  Does every role fit this man like a glove?  I'm beginning to think so!  As the Cowardly Lion, Mr. Reynolds gives an obviously adoring tribute performance to Bert Lahr, and yet chooses moments to bring his own special flare to the part.

Finally, the always terrific Jamie Eacker (Footloose, George M!) proves more than capable of carrying a show on her young shoulders as Dorothy.  Probably the most difficult role to overcome audience expectations, Ms. Eacker does an amazing balancing act between giving Oz purists a Garland-esque performance and creating a brand new Dorothty.  And she succeeds very well doing both.  Some of her readings of the most classic lines, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore," for example is exactly what the audience expects to hear, while her powerful rendition of "Over the Rainbow" has a distinctly modern feel, proving that the song and the piece itself are timeless.

I can't think of a better vehicle to introduce young kids to live theatre than this production; heck, what a great date show, too! Of course, I've probably ruined my "Mr. Grumpy Pants" reputation with this show.  I was the one in Sunday's matinee audience trying desperately to maintain my composure, while discretely wiping tears from my eyes.  You'd have to be pretty hard hearted not to be moved by Dorothy's departure from Oz.

PHOTOS by Kirstine Christiansen.  TOP to BOTTOM: On the farm in Kansas; Dorothy (Jamie Eacker, center) in Munchkinland; The Witches Face Off! (Tina DeSimone, left, and Heather Beck, right); David James as The Scarecrow and Adam Grabau as The Tin Man; David Bosley Reynolds as The Cowardly Lion; Jamie Eacker as Dorothy.

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