Go off to see 'The Wizard of Oz'

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! The opening night performance of “The Wizard of Oz” filled the Lincoln Theatre to capacity and the evening ended with a standing ovation.

Since 1939 audiences have loved L. Frank Baum’s story of young Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl and her beloved dog, Toto (Sadie Housholder).

At first entrance Toto nearly dove off the stage but was quickly rescued by Dorothy. With stage fright now conquered, Toto behaved as expected of any Hollywood talent. He trotted and cuddled through cackling witches, theatrical fog, a whimpering-cowardly lion, the booming voice of Oz, Munchkins, flying monkeys, crows, Ozians, Winkies and a mesmerized and enthusiastic audience.

In Kansas we were introduced to several colorful characters – Dorothy’s Aunt Em (Kelly Visten) and Uncle Henry (Mike Jenkins), Professor Marvel - a charlatan fortune teller - three farmhands and Ms. Gulch – her nasty neighbor – who hates Toto and wants him euthanized.

All have an uncanny resemblance to characters in the land of Oz thanks to the marvelous costume designs by Dianne Crane.

Dorothy, played by Sierra Jones, wakes in the land of Oz after a sudden prairie twister to see her storm-blown house has fallen on and killed the Wicked Witch of the East – ruler over the Munchkins.

A full stage of Munchkins, grade schoolers of various ages, dressed in brilliant pinks, yellows, blues and striped tights, sing and dance to “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” their liberated voices ringing, the orchestra loud and booming. Wow, Nancy Doorn, choreographer, that was impressive.

The angelic Glinda, Good Witch of the North (Emily Abbott-Brown), gives Dorothy the magical red ruby slippers taken from the dead witch. If she wants to go back to Kansas, she must travel the yellow-brick road to the Emerald City to seek the Wizard.

Dorothy meets the Scarecrow (Rob Neeleman) who has no brain, the Tin Woodman (Brett Madden) with no heart and the Cowardly Lion (Shawn Steiner) with no courage, but who can belt out “If Only I Had the Nerve.”

They hope the Wizard can conjure up a brain, a heart and courage – and get Dorothy back to Kansas.

Dorothy, Toto in her arms, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and the ever-trembling Cowardly Lion sing and dance to “We’re Off to See the Wizard” accompanied by a fourteen-piece orchestra with such gusto we wanted to sing along. The scarecrow leapt and fell so often, he’s probably bruised and there’s two more weeks to go – such energy!

Dancing down the yellow brick road, the four-some are caught by flying monkeys, menaced by the Wicked Witch of the West (Karen Pollack) and put to sleep while running through a field of poppies.

And what a witch! Pollack’s cackling, screeching voice rang throughout the theatre. She’ll be hoarse for days.

In the Emerald City the Wizard (Ron Wohl) asks the seekers to bring him the broom of the wicked witch to earn his help, stalling for time as he too is lost in the land of Oz and is no wizard.

During their quest for the broom, they are captured by flying monkeys and the witch tries to set the scarecrow on fire. Dorothy throws a bucket of water on the scarecrow, but inadvertently throws it on the witch and to her horror watches as she dies and sinks down into the floorboards, an impressive feat of theatrical stage-art.

“I’m melting, melting” the witch screams.

Tugging on a curtain Toto reveals the Wizard is an ordinary man manipulating curtains and lights to project a ghostly image of himself. The Wizard admits he’s a charlatan. But he convinces them they already have a heart, a brain and courage.

Giving the scarecrow a diploma, the only thing missing from having a brain, Scarecrow rattles off “The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side!”

The Lion learns he’s been the bravest after all.

The Wizard offers to take Dorothy back home on his hot air balloon, but Toto, up to mischief again, runs after him, trips the balloon and Dorothy is left in the land of Oz.

Glinda appears and Dorothy repeats, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home” clicks her heels and returns to the family she loves.

The Tin Woodman declares he truly has a heart now “’cause it’s breaking.”

“‘The Wizard of Oz is a story about friendship and hope and with a little wisdom, courage, love and magic … our version leaves you with … a sense of wonder, the belief in magic and the reminder that there truly is “No Place Like Home.’” Abigail Hanson, co-director, wrote in her program notes.

This show is dedicated to Phyllis Hammatt, past costume designer.

Co-directors Myles Doorn and Hanson reached for the stars on this one. It was thrilling.

Accolades to producers Matt Bianconi, Angelyn Harris, Leisha Skinner, Tori Steiner and Stacy Youngquist.

Presented by Skagit County’s Theater Arts Guild. It plays through Nov. 19. Times and tickets: lincolntheatre.org/live-theatre-wizard-oz.