To create a stage adaptation of a movie as beloved as “The Wizard of Oz” is no small challenge.
In its 66 years of cinematic life, the tale of Dorothy’s journey has become a cultural icon on a par with parades, bake sales and the illusory memory of Norman Rockwell’s America.
We know the lyrics to all the songs and have high standards for the terrifying tornado, the wicked witch and the imperious Oz. The characters personify our deep-seated world view of home, courage, heart, brains, and good versus evil.
If a local theater is up to these expectations, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre is certainly it, boasting a depth of talent and crafts people in a family setting.
This production comes through with flying colors, from the sepia tones of Kansas to the glimmering yellow brick road that leads to the dazzling Emerald City, unfolding its palette just like the intercut 1939 picture, which literally bridged black- and-white film to Technicolor.
Beginning with company newcomer Emily Van Fleet as Dorothy, the production is nearly perfect. As soon as Van Fleet begins to speak we are overcome by her uncanny imitation of young Judy Garland’s unmistakable “Golly, gee!” charm, soothing tonal modulations, and archetypal looks of wonder and consternation, as she begins to deal with life’s hardships and the nasty Miss Gulch.
Van Fleet handles the vocals, including the signature “Over the Rainbow,” with ease and heartfelt idealism, in a clear soprano, shaded brighter than the warm, throaty timbre of Garland’s version. Her personality too never fails to hit the right note, from the joys of her newfound friendships to the disappointments she faces finding her way home.
And the characters she meets along the way! She is astonished by the Scarecrow who talks, but he assures her that “Lot’s of people with no brains do a lot of talkin’.” Here, Scott Beyette, with a limber soft shoe and collapsible frame, breathes life into the hapless straw man, upon whom ingeniously puppeted crows roost with impunity.
The hollow Tin Man comes alive with clever sound effects and a slick tap dance by John Scott Clough, and A.K. Klimpke, in a dead-on Bert Lahr sendup, blubbers, bluffs and blossoms as the ebullient Cowardly Lion.
Cackling with delight, Barb Reeves Kuepper sends shivers up our backs as the green- skinned sorceress, the Wicked Witch of the West. Wayne Kennedy warms us as the bumbling, kindhearted con artist Professor Marvel and gives us pause as his alter ego, the bombastic but clever wizard. Alicia Dunfee is resplendent as the glittering Glinda and comforting as stern but kind Auntie Em.
Broadway-savvy co-directors Mark Chmiel and Michael J. Duran have added a splashy production number that was cut from the movie (“Jitterbug”), enlisting Boulder-based aerialist Nancy Smith of Frequent Flyers Productions to choreograph the jitterbugs and monkeys.
They also commissioned Armando Guerra and puppet master Cory Gilstrap, whose work astonished in Curious Theatre Company’s “The Long Christmas Ride Home” in November, to come up with the most lovable crows since Heckle and Jeckle. Melissa Shrank’s sets, in particular Munchkinland, and Linda Morken’s costumes, notably the scary monkeys, are delightful re-creations of the silver-screen prototypes.
The singing and dancing by a children’s ensemble as the Munchkins is polished and cheek-pinching cute. Even Lyric, the Cairn terrier who plays Toto, hits every cue. (W.C. Fields, where are you?)
The staging of the tornado is a frighteningly beautiful scene. The house is hinged to swing from a spinning turntable and is accompanied by Kennedy’s hair-raising sound effects and Cletus Karamon’s moody lighting.
Neil Dunfee’s seven-piece orchestra does scintillating work with Harold Arlen’s score. And yes, those famous ruby slippers still respond to three clicks of the heels and the mantra, “There’s no place like home.”
Bob Bows can be reached at BBows@ColoradoDrama.com.
“The Wizard of Oz” ****
| MUSICAL|Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Ave.|Adapted by John Kane; written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg (book and music)|Directed by Mark Chmiel and Michael J. Duran|Starring Emily Van Fleet, A.K. Klimpke, Scott Beyette, John Scott Clough, Barb Reeves Kuepper and Alicia Dunfee|THROUGH SEPT. 4|7:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays-Sundays; 7 p.m. Wednesdays; also 1:45 p.m. Sundays (dinner served 90 minutes before)|2 hours, 25 minutes| $27-$53|303-449-6000
