We're not in Kansas any more Toto

You know when you are driving to “Wizard of Oz” on opening night and a rainbow appears in the direction of Timber Lake Playhouse, it must be a sign. If you are a big Oz fans, as we are, the production is a must see and you probably already have tickets bought. But the capacity audience was filled with all ages and everyone was smiling, laughing and having a good time although very young children may do better in the shorter children's play August 1-5.

The play is about a young girl from Kansas and her dog Toto who find themselves involved with a wicked old woman and the girl ends up on the other side of the rainbow in the mystical Land of Oz or maybe you already know the classic story... Almost everyone has seen “Wizard of Oz” and the TLP production is taken pretty much word for word from the original, though there are a few additions in the stage production like the Jitterbugs. TLP was able to reproduce every scene in their small stage, although sometimes I wondered how they were going to be able to accomplish this.

The best part of “Wizard of Oz” is the casting. It seems TLP chose this years performers based on what they needed for the “Wizard of Oz”. From Dorothy, the powerful pint-size actress and singer Erin Childs, to the Wicked Witch, played by the fabulous Meredith Gifford, and including the Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. Everyone fit there parts and played them very well. The Scarecrow, played by Ben Mason, flipped and flopped around the stage just like Ray Bolger in the movie. The Tin Man, actor Seth Leiber, showed compassion and is a very likable character, though his sound effects were a little off. And the Lion's vibrato in "King of the Forest" by actor Christopher Russell was his best performance of the year.

The witch was my favorite, flying across the stage and setting off pyrotechnics loud enough to make everyone jump. If you are a regular, you'll remember her from "Thoroughly Modern Millie" as the hysterical Mrs. Meers, Meredith Gifford is always a treat to watch.

The rigging was provided by the cast and their fund-raiser. All the actors really enjoyed being able to fly in fact the monkeys were doing flips as they flew across the stage. Flying added to an already pleasurable production. As a very technical play sometimes things can go wrong and on opening night there were a few glitches in the rigging when the monkeys couldn't fly off with Dorothy but the cast continued on without the rigging.

A very special treat are the Munchkins, played by some local young and talented munchkins. They were enjoyable and extremely delightful. The kids stole the early part of the musical from the veteran actors and actresses and won the hearts of the audience.

Toto was played by a cute little dog named Minnie, who gave me a look like, "get me out of here", but she was very well behaved and a great live addition.

The staging was O.K., nothing as fabulous as I had hoped to see. Overall, go see this production for the fun of it and to watch Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion do their magic now through August 6. Also reserve your tickets for "Ain't Misbehavin'" beginning August 10. An all guest cast is doing this jazz classic with one of my favorites Daniel Riley, a live jazz band, and guest director Chuck Smith.

Next years productions have been announce: "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "Dracula", "Bat Boy: The Musical!", "Funny Money" from the Author of "Tom, Dick, and Harry”, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", and "Smokey Joe's Café". All six shows are on sale for just $80, a savings of $28. If you missed some productions this year, that you had hoped to see, this is a great way of seeing the whole season.

(by Barb Benson, Guest Columnist)