By Kristen Weyer.
“Follow the yellow brick road” to Port Jefferson and see The Wizard of Oz now closing out the current season at Theatre Three. Originally published in 1900 as a childrens’ novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum, was first put on the stage in 1902. With music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, this production was adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company, from the screenplay of the classic film version released in 1939. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, The Wizard of Oz is a nostalgic walk down memory lane for all who love this timeless story.
Come along with Dorothy, as she embarks on an incredible journey into the Land of Oz. With classic songs and amazing adventures, she makes friends and enemies alike on her way to see the Wizard; finally realizing that “there’s no place like home.”
The music of this show, both familiar and new, is fabulously performed. All of your favorite songs are there executed magnificently by the orchestra under the direction of Jeffrey Hoffman, and even one number that was cut from the original film the “Jitterbug”. With fun costumes from Chakira Doherty, and an absolutely adorable bunch of little Munchkins, The Wizard of Oz is sure to delight audiences young and old.
With beautiful voices and wonderful characterization, this cast portrays these iconic roles with all the nostalgic charm you could hope for. Ashley Ferraro gives a fantastic performance as Dorothy. With her strong and lovely voice she does enchanting justice to these immortal melodies. You could have heard a pin drop in the appreciative silence during “Over the Rainbow”. The favorite trio is of course on hand with bashful gallantry and beloved one-liners; all three are portrayed delightfully by Jim Sluder as Hunk/The Scarecrow, Eric J. Hughes as Hickory/The Tinman, and Andrew Lenahan as Zeke/The Cowardly Lion. A favorite will certainly be Linda May who impressively plays Ms. Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West. Her spot-on characterization and tonality combined with a fabulous cackle delightfully reanimates every delicious frisson of fear her 1939 counterpart inspired.
Randall Parsons’ minimalistic set design of sliding panels featuring artwork from the original novel was simple, yet charming and effective. Lighting Design by Robert W. Henderson Jr. and Sound by Tim Haggerty was extremely important and aids the show on numerous occasions.
One word of warning however. For anyone who, quite naturally, would like to bring children to this production, this is not a “Children’s Theatre” show, it is a Mainstage production. Due to its very nature and plotline it can be intense and perhaps a little scary at times. If your child would be frightened at the original movie, they will be frightened at this show: think chanting Winkies, flying monkey, and a cackling witch who has it out for the dog. Basically everything that we hope will be included is there, yay!, but the rather alien-ish wizard with clawed fingers could potentially prove a little too frightening for some of our youngest theatre lovers.
The Wizard of Oz is an ageless tale with the enduring message of “home is where the heart is”. For as Dorothy says “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.” So come on down to your own backyard at Theatre Three and see the wonderfully charming Wizard of Oz!