By Jessica Kennedy.
“Follow the yellow brick road” to the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport for their performance of The Wizard of Oz! Directed by Suzanne Mason, this young performers’ edition is playing from September 28th- October 27th, and will surely be a hit with fans of all ages.
We all know this beloved story- Dorothy (Joanna Sanges) wishes to escape to somewhere “over the rainbow,” and ends up in the magical land of Oz! She meets the endearing Scarecrow (Jae Hughes), the charming Tin Man (Dylan Robert), and the cuddly Cowardly Lion (Bobby Montaniz), and they embark on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz (James Schultz) and defeat the Wicked Witch of the West (Amanda Geraci)! This adaptation has all your favorite songs, lines, and characters brought to life for two hours of fun, laughter, and celebration of a timeless classic!
The cast does a great job with this show. Dorothy and her pals are colorful and captivating. They each add humor, lightness, and fun to the plot of this story. The makeup and costumes designed by Laura McGauley add to the characters’ vibrancy. Glinda (Caitlin Hornik) delighted the audience with her air of a princess and poofy dress. Amanda Geraci’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch was a major hit- her evil cackle was spot on, and her mannerisms were very “witchy” without being too frightening for all the little munchkins in the audience. Add to that Sari Feldman as the flying monkey, Nikko, and the pair create a perfect juxtaposition to the lovable band of friends who work together to defeat these evil forces, and learn that the things they were wishing for were inside them all along.
This show is great fun- whether you are a long time fan, or you are hoping to pass that love on to others. Sensory performances are available for children’s shows (check with the Box Office for dates and details), and the running time is approximately two hours with one 15 minute intermission.