Dec. 1 - Dec. 19, 2010
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| In the tradition of the classic MGM movie, the legendary Broadway musical and even more modern hits like THE WIZ and WICKED… musical staging of everyone’s favourite classic! And just in time for the holidays! |
| L. Frank Baum/The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Gale Scarecrow Tin Woodman Cowardly Lion Wicked Witch of the West Glinda Locasta Mouse Queen Royal Gatekeeper Hungry Tiger Monkey King Aunt Em Uncle Henry Toto |
| Costumes by Lighting by Music Direction by Choreography by Production Stage Manager Directed by |
| CAST |
JOE CASCONE
ALISA BERINDEA or OLIVIA STUPKA (alternating performances)
DAMIEN GULDE
BRYAN CHAMBERLAIN
DAVID HAINES
JULIE LENNICK
ANDREA STRAYER
SANDI HORWITZ
CAROL KUGLER
ANDREW BYRNE
MICHAEL BROWN
JACK LY
SUSAN SANDERS
ERIC BOTOSAN
JESSE
ALISA BERINDEA or OLIVIA STUPKA (alternating performances)
DAMIEN GULDE
BRYAN CHAMBERLAIN
DAVID HAINES
JULIE LENNICK
ANDREA STRAYER
SANDI HORWITZ
CAROL KUGLER
ANDREW BYRNE
MICHAEL BROWN
JACK LY
SUSAN SANDERS
ERIC BOTOSAN
JESSE
| Production Team |
The Civic Light Opera Company’s revival of their original musical adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - first staged in 2000 – is
indeed pretty wonderful.
The tuneful score by the late James P. Doyle combines a variety of musical styles all of which are appropriate for the book. In addition,
his clever wordplay constantly tickles the ears with bright insights. Joe Cascone has adapted Baum’s episodic book with a keen sense of
theatrics. The concept here is that Baum is presenting his familiar tale with his touring troupe.
“Just a Touch of Humbug” they sing as they introduce the tale with an assortment of simple yet effective theatrical tricks. A series of
splendid drops painted by Blain Berdan establish the locations. Sheila Lacasse provides an unending series of dazzling costumes for
Munchkins, crows, field mice, flying monkeys and Hammerheads. These roles are all played by a small ensemble – just the size and type
Baum would have toured with in his early years.
Front and centre through all of this is the frolicsome foursome. Damien Gulde is a loose-limbed Scarecrow with a propensity for puns.
Bryan Chamberlain brings particular tenderness to the role of the Tin Woodman – a role he created in the original staging. Civic Light
Opera favourite David Haines delights as the comically Cowardly Lion.
These three are so charismatic that any actress playing Dorothy has a challenge to keep up with them. Fortunately, Cascone has found
Olivia Stupka who, on opening night, delighted audiences with her strong singing and sympathetic portrayal.
Carol Kugler as the Queen of the Field Mice uses her powerful voice to lead the ensemble in the revivalistic “Pull Together” – one of the
highlights of the first act. Julie Lennick is a hilariously nasty Wicked With of the West, balanced by Sandi Horwitz who delights as the
slightly sarcastic Good Witch of the North. In the final adventure Andrea Strayer uses her lilting voice to great advantage as Glinda, the
Good Witch of the South.
The whole production is overseen – both onstage and off – by Joe Cascone whose lifelong love of the Oz stories serves as inspiration to
everyone involved.
This is perfect family entertainment, not to be missed. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another ten years for the company to revive this
delightful musical.
| Bryan Chamberlain as The Tinwoodman, Damien Gulde as The Scarecrow, Olivia Stupka as Dorothy, David Haines as The Cowardly Lion. |