One of the most beloved classics of musical theater history is lighting up the Legacy Theater in Branford until Sunday, August 9th. The Yellow Brick Road is beckoning you to skip along with Dorothy and Toto as they adventure to the land of Oz to meet the Wizard.
If you’re looking somewhere over the rainbow for blue birds, you know you’re not in Kansas anymore but rather on a unique and special journey to see that wonderful Wizard of Oz. Put Toto in his basket, fasten your ruby slippers, grab the hands of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tinman and prepare to travel to that magical land, in the Emerald City, where the famous and powerful Oz resides.
L. Frank Baum penned the original book in 1900 and in 1939 MGM transformed it into a marvelous motion picture that has been viewed by billions. This mysterious magical show was written by Harlen Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, with background music by Herbert Stothart. Stuffed with Munchkins, good and wicked witches, flying monkeys, a tornado, a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin man with no heart and a Lion with no courage, “The Wizard of Oz” follows the journey of Dorothy and her little dog Toto as they travel to the Emerald City in search of the great and mystical Oz. The magical movie is now celebrating over 80 years as a family classic. Called the “first totally American fantasy for children,” it will be sailing in a hot air balloon into the Legacy Theatre in Branford for a fabulous family experience courtesy of its wonderful cast.
Annika Jonker is precious and precocious as the adventurous Dorothy who puts her darling dog Toto (a debut role for Gus) into a basket and survives a tornado to land in a strange land called Oz. In the midst of the storm, the Wicked Witch is killed by Dorothy’s house and Glinda the Good Witch (Sarah Anne Hughes) awards Dorothy the prized ruby slippers. The Munchkins come to celebrate and before you can sing “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” three times, Dorothy and Toto are skipping down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz, and meeting Charles Romano's Scarecrow who desperately wants a brain, Garrett Van Allen’s Tinman who is aching for a heart and Jimmy Donohue’s Lion who is petitioning bravely for courage. Also complicating their mission is Olivia Fenton in Kansas as the meanie Miss Gultch and the even meaner spirited Wicked Witch who can do without both Dorothy and her pup.
Their journey is fraught with dangers, obstacles in their path like poppies, snowmen, Witch’s Winkies and Jitterbugs. Helping the little girl who only wants to get home to Kansas are her Uncle Henry (Rick Fountain), Professor Marvel (Rod Brogan), and Glinda the Good Witch who is always on Dorothy’s side.
Other active cast members are Lucas Dylan, Sophia Coppola, Nicholas Futris, Fletcher Hooten, Sophia Nardone, Madeline Olexy, Jenna L, Ptachcinski, and Ron St. John III who sing and dance with joy. Kudos go to Eric Santagata for his choreography as well as Hannah Ryan who bravely served as director, Jimmy Johansmeyer for his colorful costuming, Ryan Howell for his versatile set, and David Marottollo for sparkling music direction.
For tickets ($41.50-66.50), call Legacy Theatre, Stony Creek, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCT.org . Performances are Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.,. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Treat the children or grandchildren and yourself to one of the most enduring, charming and a little scary musicals of all time adapted by The Royal Shakespeare Company for your total enjoyment.
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