Review – The Wizard of Oz at Tacoma Musical Playhouse
Tacoma Musical Playhouse bills this production as its “Summer Blockbuster.” It’s not hard to see why. As always, the talented folks at TMP have done an amazing job of pulling together the elements needed for a thoroughly entertaining experience: music, sets, lighting, costumes, spot-on acting, dancing and singing. In a word, this show is delightful!
The play, based on the book by L. Frank Baum and adapted from the screenplay, is very similar to the 1939 movie version, but includes additional musical numbers and dialogue.
The melodic, perfectly timed and volumed orchestra sets the mood with the overture. Enter Taylor Niemeyer, perfectly cast as Dorothy, with her sweet young visage and angelic, rich voice. This young woman is enchanting; in addition to her vocal and acting talents, she moves gracefully, obviously an experienced dancer, and is a pleasure to watch. The farmhands, later Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, are likewise cast perfectly. My favorites were Chris Serface as the clumsy Lion and Steve Barnett as the gangly Scarecrow. And Karen Christensen was deliciously evil as Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West. Besides the main cast, all of whom nailed their performances, credit needs to be given to the ensemble players, who somehow managed what seemed like impossibly fast costume changes to play, in some cases, munchkins, winkies and jitterbugs, all in successive scenes. Add in some fine dancing and singing, and their contributions added essential “zing” to the show.
Some items of note: The cyclone scene was uncanny. With music, sound effects, light effects, the outstanding acting of the cast, and a lone banging shutter, I felt I was really in the midst of a storm. (They needn’t have bothered with the video screens on either side of the theater, showing the inside of the cyclone. Perhaps the script calls for them, but I found them distracting and unnecessary.) Dorothy and her traveling companions showed excellent chemistry. In fact the entire cast seemed to enjoy being a part of this production, which is one big reason it was so absorbing and entertaining.
The Wizard of Oz always makes me cry. Sure, it’s full of sappy sentimentality, but at the same time the story resonates as a parable for life’s journey, one we walk with friends and family, always searching for something outside ourselves as the answer to our questions, when in reality we already have everything we need if only we would stop telling ourselves otherwise. The TMP production gives us just the right amount of sentiment, with a generous sprinkling of fun. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll walk away feeling great.
The characters are loveable, the script is witty, the music and dancing are endlessly entertaining, and the story is timeless. What more could you ask for from a Summer Blockbuster?
Cast: Taylor Niemeyer, Sarah Samuelson, Jeremy Force, Kody Bringman, Steve Barnett, Chris Serface, Karen Christensen, John Miller, Megan Fox, Sofia Lewis, Nan Gillis, James Fesalbon, Alex Gallo.
The Wizard of Oz (RSC) runs through August 2, 2009. For tickets and information visit www.tmp.org or call (253) 565-6867.
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