[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Riverside Theatre for the Performing Arts
Dr. Mark Dreisonstok - MD Theatre Guide
June 2, 2024
“The Jitterburg,” a lost number cut the film, is brilliantly recreated in this production. Photo courtesy of the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.
“The Wizard of Oz” is one of the best-known classic American tales for children, and just about everyone, from young to old, seems to love this slice of Americana. In Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ current engaging and wholesome production, we follow the Yellow Brick Road again in the familiar tale: the young Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale, decides to leave home after a prominent and nasty woman in the county attempts to take away her dog, Toto, by involving the law. Dorothy’s Auntie Em (Andrea Kahane) and Uncle Henry (Ian Lane) reluctantly agree that laws, even this one, must always be followed.
This outstanding production seeks to preserve memories of the classic movie and yet offer differences to give the audience a familiar, but distinct, experience.
When an unexpected twister appears, Dorothy is unable to return home safely after running away with Toto. She is knocked unconscious and transported to a world of wizardry, far away from her home in Kansas. Her quest is to find her way back home. Along the way, she meets a good witch (Sheri Hayden) who helps her and a bad witch (Kathy Halenda) who plots against her. She makes firm friendships with Scarecrow in search of a brain, Tinman in search of a real heart, and Cowardly Lion seeking courage. They help each other in finding the Wizard of a magical kingdom called Oz who can grant them all of their heart-felt dreams.
Rebecca Carroll, who plays Dorothy Gale with sympathy and passion, sings the iconic “Over the Rainbow” with a very powerful voice in a very stylized manner, possibly bringing some viewers out of the time period of the story and original film. This outstanding production seeks to preserve memories of the classic movie and yet offer differences to give the audience a familiar, but distinct, experience. For fans of classic Hollywood, Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, sounds and acts very much like the character in the film.
All three of Dorothy’s companions have wonderful chemistry between them. Larry Toyter as Scarecrow, Ariel Messeca as Tinman, and Jordan B. Stocksdale as Cowardly Lion all act well and are in good voice as they sing “If I Only Had a Brain/a Heart/ the Nerve.” Of the trio, Mr. Stocksdale is particularly noteworthy, as he channels film actor Bert Lahr’s mannerisms and accents as Cowardly Lion perfectly.
This reviewer has seen Robert Biederman in roles as diverse as a military officer in “South Pacific,” Santa Claus, a Monseigneur, and Rocky’s trainer. Mr. Biederman always creates a character convincingly and distinct from his previous performances, and yet exudes his natural, flamboyant personality. He does this wonderfully as both Professor Marvel and the Wizard in this production.
The dancing throughout the production is superb, often recreating the main characters’ moves from the movie as they walk and skip down the Yellow Brick Road. There are some marvelous dance sequences which are unique to the live musical and not in the film. This includes the tap-dancing sequences among the three trees who sing in the style of the Andrew Sisters, the trio of singers highly popular in the era of the original film.
In addition to fine performances, this version of the story (based largely on the 1939 Hollywood film and not the original Oz books) accentuates elements of the tale which may have been missed when people saw the film as a child. One such insight emphasized is that Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion (not to mention Dorothy herself) already have what they are looking for inside themselves. For example, while lamenting that he has no brain, Scarecrow uses advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking skills along the way as when he counsels Dorothy on how to revive Tinman. Yet it takes the journey—with trials, hardships, and, of course, friendship—for the characters to realize they already have what they are seeking.
Especially striking are moments not in the film and none of us have seen. “The Jitterbug” is a song-and-dance routine which survives in an audio clip from the film. This scene comes into play as Dorothy and her friends are in search of the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom at the request of the Wizard. In the Rhino Records movie soundtrack liner notes, researcher John Fricke describes how the Wicked Witch “has an advance evil agent which is “a little insect” designed to sting the company and send them into an exhausting dance that they won’t be able to fight off the [flying] monkeys.” It is beautifully choreographed by Stephanie Wood, who brings out the swing dancing aspect of the dance with a tap-dancing ensemble and main cast members.
Christian Fleming’s sets are highly creative. The Yellow Brick Road is a rounded spiral, much like the one that takes Dorothy on her journey in the film. It extends beyond the stage and into the auditorium, bringing the audience closer to the world of Oz. Videos are used effectively in this production—for example, when the flying monkeys are shown. Other video clips recreate moments in the film but with the Riverside company of actors.
The orchestra is great at evoking childhood memories of “The Wizard of Oz” and can be considered “an extra actor in the show” says Patrick A’Hearn, who expertly directs the show. Conductor and keyboardist Carson Eubank conducts the music with vigor. This show is highly recommended!
Running Time: Two hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
“The Wizard of Oz” runs through July 14,2024 at the Riverside Theatre for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406. Masks are not required. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (540) 370-4300, Sunday 12 pm – 3 pm; Monday – Wednesday, 10 am – 6 pm: Thursday – Friday 10 am – 7:30 pm; and Saturday 12 pm – 7:30 pm, or go online.