Theater Review: Academy’s ‘Oz’ Seamlessly Blends Humor And Heart

ORLEANS – There’s something universal about going on an adventure with your friends. Everyone might have their own interests, and everyone might come in at different points, but everyone is together. It’s a human experience. Going on an adventure where we all can end up together is what makes a great story shine. With its latest production, everything is bright at The Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans.

On Thursday, Feb. 19, the academy opened its latest production, The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Jennifer Almedia, the production blends humor and heart seamlessly, with outstanding performances, inventive design and choreography synthesizing an evening nothing short of experiential.

The story of The Wizard of Oz is timeless. Dorothy, trying to save her dog Toto, runs away from home only to go back, not wanting to harm Auntie Em. She finds herself stuck in the center of a storm that drops her in the middle of Oz. Once in this new, mysterious land, she learns that in order to get home, she has to find the Wizard, so she, along with the friends she meets along the way, embark on a journey that pits them against talking trees, flying monkeys, and a wicked witch who will do anything to stop her.

Like any performance at the academy, a lot of the mood is established prior to the curtain lifting (even if there isn’t an actual curtain). From being greeted at the door to the warm reception area to the venture upstairs to take your seat, the venue adds a certain quality that infuses a show all about a journey with a little something more. Then, when you physically step into the round, you actually have to walk on the same yellow brick road the actors do. When you take the steps and you see the bright, bold, blue sky Kansas stage, adorned with a massive golden sun, and you hear the playlist prior to the show – with songs that ranged from “Home on the Range,” to “Once Upon a Dream” and ended with Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow” – it’s really hard not to feel like you’re alongside Dorothy as much as the Lion, the Tin Man or the Scarecrow.

Speaking of which, the cast is a joy. Opening night featured the 19-year-old Gianna Casale as Dorothy. She dutifully captured the requisite energy of any proper Dorothy. She played the role with the perfect blend of wary anxiety and moral insistence, leading to dynamic chemistry with each of her three travel compatriots. Additionally, she aced the test to which all Dorothys have to adhere: her “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” the Judy Garland staple, was as measured of a performance as it calls to be. She blended the hopeful, yearnful wanting of the character in the moment and made beautiful choices throughout, specifically on the end note.

Her companions in travel were also significant. The Scarecrow was played by Mark Roderick, who also played Hunk. Roderick was a comedic highlight, from his screams whilst momentarily dismembered to the subtly of his pliable movements – all of which were very good choices. The Lion was played by Terrence Brady, who also played Zeke. Brady, too, showed his comedic chops, playing the role just as well as the character in the 1939 film, yet drawing a certain empathy that’s difficult to capture. And the Tin Man was played by Ryan VanBuskirk, who also played Hickory. The highlight from VanBuskirk had to be some of the line readings he gave as the Tin Man. While the Scarecrow is overtly physical and the Lion is a force of neurotic energy, VanBuskirk’s dry delivery gave him his place among the three.

While so much can be said for all of the actors in the play, the performance Missy Potash gave as the Wicked Witch was nothing short of iconic. Potash, who also played Miss Gulch, adorned in green makeup, had every mannerism, physical and vocal, that makes up every connotation we have of the Wicked Witch. When she enters Munchkin Land for the first time, with the resonate cackle and assaulting broom, the munchkins get out of her way in such a manner that makes the audience-goer question, “Is she… is she actually a witch?” Each instance of her character on the stage, tormenting our travel party at various points, was transformative.

The rest of the cast featured Julia Randall as Auntie Em, Nicholas Dorr as Uncle Henry, Kerry Fitzgibbons as Glinda, Billy Weimer as the Emerald City Guard, Mike McCartney as Professor Marvel, Randy Doyle as the Wizard of Oz, Connor McCleod as Nicco, and the scene-stealing LuLu Castro as Toto. All of whom gave commendable performances.

Something should be said for the Munchkins and the ensemble. There were so many moments in which their energy brought the play to a new height. When the munchkins meet Dorothy in Munchkin Land the show, which had already hooked the attention of the audience, it was shot in the arm with an adrenaline boost that propelled the rest of the play. The performances of “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” are not to be missed.

Lastly, a note on the set design and choreography. Dorr and Roderick were credited with set design within the production team. The work they did that was noted earlier, along with their choices for the Emerald City doors, the witch’s castle, the spiraling yellow brick road and the wizard’s face needs to be acknowledged. Potash was listed as choreographer. The full cast performances in which they act within the round and venture into the seating contribute to make the show all the bit better.