The Wizard of Oz
By John Swartz
The Wizard of Oz, St. Paul’s Centre’s theatrical production this year, is may be the most ambitious they’ve undertaken. The number of scene changes alone, accomplished by changing set pieces, lighting and video elements is a demonstration of coordination between cast and crew, only to be eclipsed by the number of costume changes.
I lost track of how many costume changes there were about half way through the first act. Of course the four main characters, the Tinman, Scarecrow and Lion (Erin McBride-Hare, John Copeland and Ian Labelle-Stackhouse) and supporting characters Oz, the WWotW and the guardian of the gates to OZ (Ian Sinclair, Celio de Andrade Santos Jr. and Rob Siddall) have double duty, but they got off easy, most of the rest of 50 or so cast members changed costumes as frequently as U.S. foreign policy changes.
Between the costumes and the makeup, I didn’t recognize the people I do know, never mind wondering where all those other people were found to act in this play. I never see them on a Sunday; sure I don’t go on Sunday, and even when I do go to St. Paul’s they make me sit in the last row before the doors. But my point is director Jody Maltby found quite a few talented people who are not crossovers from Mariposa Arts Theatre (as has been the case in other years) or to my knowledge have previous theatrical experience, except maybe in high school (not counting the cast members still in high school).
When the tornado happens, be sure to keep one eye on the video screens above the stage, there are a few surprises to catch in the montage. I was caught off guard a couple times with bits I am familiar with (aren’t we all familiar with the story?) when I heard lines but could not see the character on stage; they were coming to us on the video screens. In the case of the WWotW, in a key moment I thought it was more effective using video than had Santos been on stage.
Then there is the star of the show and story, Dorothy (Helena McLeod). Many musical playwrights and scriptwriters will save the standout song for somewhere near the end of the runtime. Such is not the case with this one, it comes right up front. Of course Somewhere Over the Rainbow has eclipsed the play in modern artistic and ongoing history senses and 11 out of ten people regardless of age demographic will name it as one of their top ten tunes, so you want it to be done very well and McLeod did not disappoint.
At this moment, it needs to be said that Elliott, playing Toto, should be up for some kind of achievement award. He wasn’t a constant scene stealer, but took a few along the way and is one of the most well behaved dogs I’ve ever seen. He didn’t even bark once, or try to wriggle out of someone’s arms. You’d think at the least he would have growled a little bit when the Witch/neighbour takes Toto away in the opening sequence, but no, he just went along with it.
The script gives most of the best comedic lines to the lion, but the moment the Wizard is revealed was carried off by all involved very well. We know it’s coming, but the timing and how it takes place was excellent.
I think this would be especially good for children to see, though many of the adults in the room Wednesday night were enjoying it too. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. You can get tickets online.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia) Main: The central characters, played by Ian Labelle-Stackhouse, Erin McBride-Hare, Helena McLoed, Elliot, and John Copeland in the Wizard of Oz.
