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The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz
byPhillip C. Klapperich
Reviewed by Al Bresloff
Were off to see the Wizard, but not the same story that was made famous in the movie version of L. Frank Baum- no this is a new version by Phillip C. Klapperich as put together by
The House Theatre of Chicago at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie. This is a different look at the story that has been beloved by millions of kids growing up and although the main characters are the ones we know, we tend to see them in a different light in this "darker" version of Dorothy Gale, her dog Toto and the adventures they encounter in Oz ( there is no "rainbow" in this production but there are musical moments, lots of laughs and a well directed ( Tommy Rapley, who also handled the choreography), fine tuned production with a truly talented cast.
Paige Hoffman is delightful as Dorothy, Joey Steakley is cute as a button as Toto ( a combination puppeteer, puppy dog), Jake Minton a powerful Lion, and two show stealing actors ( Cliff Chamberlain as The Tin Woodsman and Stephen Taylor as Scarecrow) complete the group who must see the Wizard ( a charming caricature deftly handled by Dennis Watkins who also plays several other roles). Along the way of course there are witches- good and bad- Carolyn Defrin is a solid Glinda the "good Witch" and the very energetic Molly Brennan ( she, of 500 Clowns, the wild and acrobatic troupe) who is always a treat to watch on stage. The ensemble handles all of the other roles- Lauren Vitz, Michael E. Smith, Chris Matthews and Erin Lee Damron- Great work! This is a plain and simple production with very little scenery, some cute costumes by Laurie Lamere Klapperich and some fun original music by Kevin O'Donnell. There are some surprises along the way but there is a sort of happy ending ( one of the character's stories ends just a bit different than we are used to, but I won't divulge this- you have to see it for yourself). The biggest problem is that there is a short time period in which to do so.
"The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz" will only run thru March 11th with performances as follows:
Highly Recommended
Wednesday at 1 and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. ( March 4th only)
Tickets range from $35-$38 and are well worth this reasonable rate ( students $20 )
You can purchase tickets at the box office of the Northlight Theatre- North Shore Center for The Performing Arts located at 9501 N. Skokie Blvd. in Skokie ( just South of Golf Rf- Rte 58). You are just South of Old Orchard so there is plenty of dining in the area and free parking at the theater.
To reserve your tickets by phone call 847-673-6300 or online www.northlight.org
To learn more about The House Theatre of Chicago www.thehousetheatre.com
Editors’s Note:
It took a snow storm to keep from getting to Northlight Theatre to see this remount of one of The House Theatre of Chicago’s finest shows. I loved the show the first time I saw it and so will you. Get to Northlight Theatre fast to enjoy this gem! Thanks to Al Bresloff for braving the weather.
Tom Williams
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