Theatre Under The Stars presents The Wizard of Oz

A MAGICAL FAMILY MUSICAL, SHARED BY GENERATIONS
by G.G. Ligums

Photos by Cylia Von Tiedemann

Editor’s Note: G.G. Ligums is a Houston SuperMom with two sons. She was a Thespian at Texas A & M. For countless theater auditions, she chose to sing “Over the Rainbow.”

Gather your family and set off to see the Wizard, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! Make sure to hold on tight to your program as you are sucked into the twister… well… almost.

This comedy-infused dream-sequence-drama was a feast for the eyes and ears. It’s a musical that had throngs of children giggling and adults grinning on as their progeny fell in love with something they too loved at their age.

Although you will hear – and hum – all of your favorite Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the 1939 film, five new songs were added, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice.

ACTORS, COSTUMES & SPECIAL EFFECTS, OH MY!
The principal cast did a marvelous job taking the audience to and through the merry old land of Oz. Danielle Wade (Dorothy) has an ethereal voice and embodies innocence with a dash of grit that has endeared Dorothy Gale to readers and viewers since the 1900s.
Two standouts among the cast are Jay Brazeau (Professor Marvel/The Wizard) and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West). Brazeau will remind you of a kindly grandfather and Jiminy Cricket while Donovan’s wicked laugh will curl your toes.

Spot on acting and beautiful voices aside, the costumes, sets, lighting and special effects gave meaning to the words Show Stopper. Digital projection backdrops, lighting effects dancing over the audience and Swarovski adorned witches, Oh My!

Director Jeremy Sams has a great grasp of foreshadowing, from the script to the costuming, that really takes you into the psyche of the characters. This is what makes the world of Oz go round.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a nod to Toto, a real live furry and four-legged actor who never missed a mark.
This is not the MGM movie, same story, but perhaps more sincere. May L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (and all of its incantations and incarnations) live long in our hearts.

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Theatre Under The Stars is presenting The Wizard of Oz at the Hobby Center’s Sarofim Hall from March 4 – 16. Tickets start at $24. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Group tickets can be purchased by calling 713-558-8888. An audio described performance is available on Sunday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.