Spirit Trumps Visual Shortcomings in “The Wizard of Oz”

Musical Theatre West has dedicated its entire 2023 season to adaptations of famous films. 9 to 5, An American in Paris . . . Okay, so The Sound of Music (coming this autumn) was a stage play first, but you get the idea.

The Wizard of Oz is the most famous of them all, and its legendary art direction makes it a dicey proposition. Some films just have an iconic look that is indelibly imprinted on all who view it. Because you couldn’t truly replicate it if you wanted to, you’re on the shaky ground of evoking it — people will feel cheated if you don’t — while delivering something new and striking in its own right.

The main problem with Musical Theatre West’s otherwise solid and faithful The Wizard of Oz is that they never get to an Emerald City that does either, resulting in a second act that feels anticlimactic despite the plot arc.

Things start off fine. The rurality of Kansas, with a storm a’brewin’. Munchkinland, a riot of rainbow hues (thanks to Bradley Allan Lock’s costumery as much as anything else). A lovely lavender tableau introducing us to the Tin Man (Michael James). But from here the mise en scène loses steam, and we finally arrive at an Emerald City that is nothing more than a big gate against a flat backdrop that looks like an unfinished green art-deco sketch. Traditionally, regardless of how glorious-looking Act 1 has been, Musical Theatre West ups the ante after intermission; here it’s the exact opposite.

Aside from “Over the Rainbow” (a stone-cold classic), the songs — by and large capably rendered by Musical Theatre West — range from pretty good (“If I Only Had a Brain”) to cloying (“We’re Off to See the Wizard”) to fluffy filler (“The Merry Old Land of Oz”); and this production (at least) doesn’t offer much in the way of compelling choreography. Therefore, it’s absolutely essential we have a spirited cast for The Wizard of Oz to have any chance of success. 

No problem. From wide-eyed Dorothy (Leianna Weaver) to the witches (Erica Hanrahan’s fully got her cackle on, while Sarah Uriarte Berry is sweet and slightly sassy) to the Lollipop Guild, there isn’t a body onstage — adult or child — who fails to bring it. Chief among them is William Hartery as the Cowardly Lion, who fully embodies all you expect plus a few things you don’t, such as a risible reference to The Lion King.

Although Musical Theatre West’s The Wizard of Oz doesn’t trump its source material the way 9 to 5: The Musical and An American in Paris did earlier this year, it’s a solid outing. Yes, the second-half visuals are disappointing. But from the applause whenever anybody was borne aloft or Toto simply trotted onstage (good doggie!), the clapping along to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” (okay, so it’s catchy), the guffaws at smallest quips and asides that director Paige Price has scattered about, clearly the opening-night audience felt they got their money’s worth. Another win for the spirit.

The Wizard of Oz at Musical Theatre West
Times: Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Sun 1pm, plus July 13 at 7:30pm & July 16 at 6pm
The show runs through July 23.
Cost: $20–$135; student rush tix: $15
Details: (562) 856-1999, musical.org
Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 W. Atherton, Long Beach