Profile
Photos
Comments
2014
started off with a visit to Kansas, and then Oz, with Dorothy, Toto,
the Tinman, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the wicked witch of the west, the
good witch Glinda and, of course, the wizard of Oz. It was fun greeting
all our old friends at the Broward Performing Arta Center in a cold
(everything is relative) rainy Fort Lauderdale.
started off with a visit to Kansas, and then Oz, with Dorothy, Toto,
the Tinman, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the wicked witch of the west, the
good witch Glinda and, of course, the wizard of Oz. It was fun greeting
all our old friends at the Broward Performing Arta Center in a cold
(everything is relative) rainy Fort Lauderdale.
Who
hasn’t seen the classic film of 1939 at least once if not many times?
It has almost become a yearly ritual in homes and children in the
auditorium recognize Dorothy as soon as they see her. Some applauded
Glinda and the green wicked witch of the west now knowing more about
them from “Wicked”. It was like old home week for everyone.
Andrew
Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams have adapted the movie to the stage making
some minor changes and adding 21st century humor here and there. Webber
and his musical partner Tim Rice have added some songs like “Nobody
Understands Me” for Dorothy’s opening number and “Red Shoes Blues” for
the wicked witch plus 2 for the wizard but with the exception of the
lion’s “If I Were The King Of The Forest” they have retained all the
songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg including “We’re Off To See The
Wizard”, “If I Only Had A Heart” (or a brain or courage as the case
fits), “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” among others including the iconic
“Over The Rainbow”.
Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams have adapted the movie to the stage making
some minor changes and adding 21st century humor here and there. Webber
and his musical partner Tim Rice have added some songs like “Nobody
Understands Me” for Dorothy’s opening number and “Red Shoes Blues” for
the wicked witch plus 2 for the wizard but with the exception of the
lion’s “If I Were The King Of The Forest” they have retained all the
songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg including “We’re Off To See The
Wizard”, “If I Only Had A Heart” (or a brain or courage as the case
fits), “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” among others including the iconic
“Over The Rainbow”.
Danielle
Wade, as Dorothy, has to share the red sequined shoes of the original
Dorothy but also the audience’s memory of the movie. Her first number
which is by Webber and Rice doesn’t really show off her voice and her
second song is THAT song and you can almost hear the audience hold their
breath. She does the smart thing by just being herself and singing her
own interpretation of the classic “Over The Rainbow”. Wade got her role
from competing in a Canadian TV reality show and though one may expect
that aspect to be in her singing the only time it shows is when she
holds the last note of Rainbow a little longer than expected. She is
more than adequate in the role but is lacking the ‘star’ power to carry
show which she doesn’t have to due to a strong supporting cast.
Wade, as Dorothy, has to share the red sequined shoes of the original
Dorothy but also the audience’s memory of the movie. Her first number
which is by Webber and Rice doesn’t really show off her voice and her
second song is THAT song and you can almost hear the audience hold their
breath. She does the smart thing by just being herself and singing her
own interpretation of the classic “Over The Rainbow”. Wade got her role
from competing in a Canadian TV reality show and though one may expect
that aspect to be in her singing the only time it shows is when she
holds the last note of Rainbow a little longer than expected. She is
more than adequate in the role but is lacking the ‘star’ power to carry
show which she doesn’t have to due to a strong supporting cast.
Webber
and Sams modernize the show a bit too much like making the cowardly
lion, played by Lee MacDougall, gay though the audience does crack up
when he mentions being “a friend of Dorothy’s”. Jamie McKnight, as the
scarecrow, is certainly limber and gets the laughs the role provides
while Mike Jackson as the tinman has all the right moves and is a lot
more impressive out of costume when he takes his bow, not being
recognized until he does a tinman step!.
and Sams modernize the show a bit too much like making the cowardly
lion, played by Lee MacDougall, gay though the audience does crack up
when he mentions being “a friend of Dorothy’s”. Jamie McKnight, as the
scarecrow, is certainly limber and gets the laughs the role provides
while Mike Jackson as the tinman has all the right moves and is a lot
more impressive out of costume when he takes his bow, not being
recognized until he does a tinman step!.
Jacquelyn
Piro Donovan isn’t evil enough mainly playing her role for laughs while
Robin Evan Willis as Glinda is all sparkles, smiles and goodness. Jay
Brazeau, as the wizard, is excellent while the ensemble gives good
support in all the numbers.
Piro Donovan isn’t evil enough mainly playing her role for laughs while
Robin Evan Willis as Glinda is all sparkles, smiles and goodness. Jay
Brazeau, as the wizard, is excellent while the ensemble gives good
support in all the numbers.
The
choreography is pedestrian as are the songs added by Webber and Rice.
The set and costume designer, Robert Jones, brings a lot of color and
along with the video work of Jon Driscoll, many special effects. The
production errs in the casting of the Munchkins not using shorter
people.
choreography is pedestrian as are the songs added by Webber and Rice.
The set and costume designer, Robert Jones, brings a lot of color and
along with the video work of Jon Driscoll, many special effects. The
production errs in the casting of the Munchkins not using shorter
people.
When
it came to the curtain calls the last to come out for his bow (and
treat!) was Toto, played by Nigel, a rescued dog from the Humane
Society, who got a standing ovation and a roar from the crowd. He never
missed a cue whether engulfed by smoke on the stage or whoever he was
acting opposite and he had a lot of time on stage. Now if only the
production came up to his standards this would be a monster hit!
it came to the curtain calls the last to come out for his bow (and
treat!) was Toto, played by Nigel, a rescued dog from the Humane
Society, who got a standing ovation and a roar from the crowd. He never
missed a cue whether engulfed by smoke on the stage or whoever he was
acting opposite and he had a lot of time on stage. Now if only the
production came up to his standards this would be a monster hit!
Running
time First act 1 hour and 10 minutes Intermission 20 minutes Second
act 50 minutes----a lot of smoke, strobe lights, haze and many loud
noises.
time First act 1 hour and 10 minutes Intermission 20 minutes Second
act 50 minutes----a lot of smoke, strobe lights, haze and many loud
noises.
Next at the broward performing arts center “Memphis The Musical” February 25