The Wiz captivates

Rick Trux - 2009                    The Scarecrow 

The multi-award winning Wiz is a big show staged in a small space. It’s the actors, director, lighting designer and techs, choreographer, props, and multimedia that create a fast, whirlwind of a show at Theatre Downtown, 221 N. Orange Avenue. The musical opened Friday, September 4, at 8 pm, and runs through October 3.

The story of The Wizard of Oz, now The Wiz, is familiar: Dorothy and Aunt Em quarrel about Dorothy leaving Kansas. Aunt Em expresses her concern with song, and as the lights fade, the tornado ballet whirls in, dancers waving sheer banners, carrying window panes to show the passing of the storm.When Dorothy’s house kills the Wicked Queen of the East, the Wicked Queen of the West, Evillene (adead ringer for Divine in John Water’s Hairspray), decides to get Dorothy and her silver shoes. Then Addaperle, the good Queen of the North, appears to warn her. Dressed to the nines in a yellow, red, and green dress replete with tassels, she belts out songs that resonate with joy, encouraging Dorothy to find the Wizard. The Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy put their heads together and “Ease on Down the Road,” headed for the Wizard of Oz.

In the mean time, Evillene plots how to get rid of Dorothy, but she is splashed with water and melts. Too bad the queen and her mutant evil bird with a red Mohawk aren’t on the stage longer, losing the chance to ramp up the fear factor.

Every song, from R&B, jazz, and gospel, fills the audience with joy and hope and belief. The voices alone are worth the trip to Theatre Downtown.

Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm and Sunday matinees are September 13, 20, and 27.

 For more information, call the Theatre Downtown box office at:
(407) 841-0083or go to their web site at: www.theatredowntown.net

Rick Trux - 2009   The Tinman