Stage Right by Ellen Kehr

Albert Lea Community Theater is a nonprofit organization featuring local actors, directors and stage crew volunteer time. All performances are at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway in downtown Albert Lea.

It’s a warm summer evening as I enter the Marion Ross Performing Arts Theater. It is dress rehearsal night and I have been invited to write a review of Albert Lea Community Theater’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” I already know this classic musical — based on the 1939 motion picture — will take me on a journey from Kansas to the Land of Oz, where I will join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Toto as they follow the yellow brick road to The Emerald City to meet the Wizard.

I will enjoy the songs I am so familiar with, such as “Over the Rainbow,” “If I Only Had a Brain” and “The Merry Old Land of Oz.” I love “The Wizard of Oz” and wait anxiously in seat H108 for the adventure to begin. The theater is alive with excitement and as the lights dim, the magic happens. I am 10 years old again, sitting on the living room couch between my brothers and sister. The night is ours! We have popcorn in our laps and my father is saying “Tonight, we are going someplace very special.”

With a cast of over 50 actors, “The Wizard of Oz” is an extravaganza of color, sound and action that drew me in and kept me there until I was safely back home with the people I love. The typecasting in this production is spot on! Dorothy, played by Kendall Ward, and her little dog, Toto, aka Henry the dog, are such a sweet, innocent and believable pair that I thought I might see them today walking down Broadway and have the opportunity to tell them how happy I am to see them safely back home. They performed as one and the effect is truly heartwarming!

All of the main characters remain easily recognizable as Dorothy’s imagination takes us to the Land of Oz. Almira Gulch, played by Teresa Wilson, is equally as disagreeable and wicked in Kansas as she is as the Wicked Witch in the Land of Oz. Aunty Em and Uncle Henry, played by Sue Jorgensen and Lynn Berven, continue to protect Dorothy as she tries to find her way back home. The three farmhands played by Jason Howland, Patrick Carew and Luke Zacharias easily morphed into the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow. With their quirky personalities and humorous antics they provided the perfect balance to what appeared to be a dire situation. It did not take long before just looking at the Cowardly Lion made me laugh. I tried keeping this under wraps, but his cowardliness was just over the top. Brian Mattson as Professor Marvel and the Wizard looked every bit the part and was a great casting choice.

The tornado that arrived to carry us to Oz was a masterpiece of music and energy that began to feel like a panic attack, probably an appropriate response, but once we arrived more fun was in store. The munchkins, Lullaby Guild and Lollipop Guild were a kaleidoscope of color; Trees and Crows talked, Poppies waved, Jitterbugs danced, winkies marched and the monkeys? Well the monkeys were just plain scary! I do not want to see any of them scurrying down Broadway today!

I know a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to deliver a production of this magnitude. Kudos to the production crew, musicians, choreographer, makeup artists and costume designers who brought “The Wizard of Oz” to life. You did an amazing job.

Congratulations to director Steve Kenney and all involved in this wonderful show. I thank you for taking me, once again, to someplace very special. Whimsical, fun, colorful and full of valuable life lessons, this production did not disappoint. For almost 76 years, people have been going over the rainbow and off to see the Wizard. No reason to stop now! Get your tickets soon, because I predict that the “Wizard of Oz” will be a sell-out.

“The Wizard of Oz,” a must-see classic for the young and old, runs today, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (matinee). Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased at actonbroadway.com, the ACT call center at 1-877- 730-3144 or at the box office. Tickets are also available at the Convention and Visitors Bureau.