Laura and Samara spend their days as non-profit unicorns and fill every spare minute exploring the world of musical theatre as BFFs (that’s Broadway Friends Forever). Follow @bffs613 on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Like many musical fans this last month, we jumped to watch the trailer drop for the movie musical Wicked. The excitement was followed by some slight disappointment since it would be still another six months before the film hit theatres. Luckily, Orpheus Musical Theatre has our fellow Ozians covered as their production of The Wizard of Oz dropped from the sky and into Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe on May 31st.
Stephen Schwartz aside, you may have read the original L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz novel, or seen the beyond iconic 1939 film starring Judy Garland which is the basis of this musical. It tells the story of Dorothy, as she blows in from Kansas and into the land of Oz, with only one goal in mind—getting home. When she unintentionally becomes the owner of a pair of ruby slippers, it lands her on the bad side of a certain wicked witch of the West.
Photo by Maria Vartanova
Going technicolour, Orpheus’ bright, artsy and industrial style sets stand as its own character in the production, transporting the audiences directly into the land of Oz. This lends to the magic and grandeur that you would expect to see along with this fantastical story. The costumes are simple but bring to life a lion, tin man, scarecrow and flying monkeys among a whole other range of characters—not to mention Dorothy’s glitter ruby red sneakers, which will leave you clicking your heels with delight.
The ambitious sets, though visually impactful, resulted in long transitions that often broke up the pacing of the show. Some opening night hiccups with lighting queues added to the overall slower pace and length of the production.
Photo by Maria Vartanova
The stage filled with an energetic ensemble added to the impact of the songs, if sometimes also a little chaotic. The band effortlessly brought us the well-known and powerful score and enhanced the overall production.
Follow the yellow brick road somewhere over the rainbow, and grab your tickets to this family classic before they melt away.
Orpheus Musical Theatre’s presentation of The Wizard of Oz takes place from May 31 to June 9. Shows are Friday, Saturday, Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. It runs approximately three hours with one intermission. Tickets start at $38, with reduced student and 29 & under tickets and $20 in-person rush tickets.
