I remember watching the Judy Garland classic in my New Jersey home, the radiator rattling behind my green plaid couch. I teared up as the four main characters finally escaped the poppies and entered the Emerald City. In the years to come, I would cherish my dress-up Dorothy dress, complete with Toto and plastic ruby slippers. I used to steal my Mom’s Longaberger basket and skip around the house. Needless to say, The Wizard of Oz has always been one of my favorite movies. 
I took one of my friends with me to the Fox to see the new production of The Wizard of Oz. She loves the theatre as much as I do, and I knew we’d have a spectacle before us. The new production is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this production contains the beloved songs from the Oscar® – winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs.
True to the original film, there are many, many classic lines embedded in the script, there was a BEAUTIFUL transition from sepia tones to technicolor, and plenty of huge spectacle, costume changes, moving scenery and music to match. While the magical spectacle moments are nearly every five minutes, the moments between can seem kind of dead… like you’re waiting for something huge to fill the void. I’ve known directors that have lead productions like that. The staging is clever, but ill proportioned at time, leaving levels uneven, this may be due to the massive amount of scenery… you’ll never be lacking for something to look at, though!
From the moment the curtain goes up, there is certainly magic. If you’re looking for your classic favorite, you won’t be disappointed, and if you’re seeking something new, you’ll also be rewarded. Many of the visuals are new, including some of the costumes. Below is Glinda, who literally sparkles the entire show. Her beautiful blue hair appears as an ice cream swirl from the back of the orchestra section, but I couldn’t stop looking at her dress. When you see her entrance onstage for the first time, you will certainly smile!
The show is very family friendly, so get your tickets for The Wizard of Oz at the Fox theatre for this weekend. You’ll have so much fun!
Leave a Reply