If you grew up watching “The Wizard of Oz” and your children love it too, then the Phoenix Theatre’s rendition of this 115-year-old classic will probably charm and thrill you. The show, which seems much more aimed to families with children who are expecting to see an almost exact stageplay rendition (with, of course, a few minor changes) of the film, won’t disappoint in that arena.
Despite an excellent reading of the film on the stage, however, “The Wizard of Oz” seemed to simply lack some spark. The whole show felt a bit like going through the motions — after so many years, the movie has become routine. There’s not a lot you can do to really change it up, considering so many adaptations have already been done (“Wicked,” “Oz the Great and Powerful,” etc.). Nonetheless, the question did arise: Why watch this show live when I could just watch the movie at home (with the added nostalgia)?
This isn’t to say the stageplay didn’t excel in some areas. The effects were by far the most impressive point of the show, from a compelling tornado scene featuring interpretive dance and characters suspended from wires, to snow falling on the poppy field, to the presentation of Oz himself. The choreography by Nathaniel Shaw, too, is stellar, with characters often performing difficult rhythmic numbers without dropping a note.
As much as I appreciated these elements of the show and its charm in evoking the “Wizard of Oz” film, for me, something nonetheless lacked. And it may just be that, on a very personal level, I want what I see on stage to bring something new and different to the story I’m watching. I didn’t feel that there was enough of that in this reading of “The Wizard of Oz” outside of the effects and choreography, which seemed necessary to give the stageplay a similarly full effect to the film (rather than adding something more or new).
I was underwhelmed, too, by Carly Nicole Grossman’s reading of Dorothy. In a world as overstated and vivacious as Oz, it seems to fall on Dorothy to be the more down-to-earth anchor who keeps the show rooted. Yet Grossman’s Dorothy felt overplayed, which made the entire show feel like an exaggeration with little relief. I was left wanting for a Dorothy with a little more quiet nuance.
If Dorothy seemed disappointing, some of the performers shined. In particular, Sally Jo Bannow, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, gave a masterful performance with considerable control of the stage. Bannow has a laundry list of credits and background in the arts, and her expertise shines through as the Wicked Witch. Scarecrow, played by Toby Yatso, had similarly tremendous stage presence.
While Phoenix Theatre’s reading of “The Wizard of Oz” lacked luster for me, I want to emphasize its value as a family production for those who love the film and want to see it rendered honestly on stage. I am sure there are many for whom the nostalgic charm, combined with incredible effects, choreography and set design, make this show more than well worth seeing.
Contact the columnist at mbilker@asu.edu.
