Some editions are welcomed:ĭorothy isn’t entirely a ‘damsel in distress’ and has some spunk, the Wizard is really funny, and there is some nice banter between The Witch and Glinda. The new book is where the real problem is. The Script (Called the Book for stage shows) : The original music is classic and no song will ever top ‘Over the Rainbow.’ These new songs can stand on their own, but don’t match the creativity of the work done by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Home is a place in your heart/ Every Journey takes you back to where you start.Īll in all, the trouble here is you just can’t top the original. The melody is magical and the lyrics are quite clever. The last song that is added is “Already Home” sung by Glinda, just before Dorothy clicks her heels. Some shows have had the Witch sing ‘The Jitterbug’, a song cut from the original film for time, which is a nice fit and frankly, a much better song. Next, right before Dorothy is captured by the Wicked Witch, The Witch sings ‘Red Shoe Blues’, a drab, lounge-ish tune about how the slippers will make her powers stronger. It’s not a fun song and it slows the story down to a halt. But, when the Wizard demands to be brought the Witch’s broomstick, we have a song… “Bring me the Broomstick.” This is the one addition that absolutely needs to be thrown in the trash.
I will say the new script brings more humor along with The Wizard, so it’s not as boring as it has been in other productions.Īfter ‘Wonders’, we hear what we are familiar with… “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, “If I only Had…” “The Merry Land of Oz” and so on. But, perhaps just a fault no person can escape, the scene itself is something you NEED, but it’s never entertaining. But, the song has the same idea as “Over the Rainbow” and that song is superior. The song is meant to give The Wizard something to sing and reenforce the idea that there is something better than Kansas. The second new song is ‘Wonders of the World’, sung by Professor Marvel. While not particularly needed, it is catchy and reiterates Dorothy’s feeling of not being heard. Aunt Em and Uncle Henry just don’t understand Toto is in danger, and in my opinion, is the best new song. The first new song is ‘Nobody Understands Me”, a catchy tune Dorothy sings. You’ll hear the classic, “I’ll get you my pretty” and “There’s no place like home,” but, for the most part, you’re going to see a slightly more spunky Dorothy, an extremely stupid Scarecrow and a very unwelcome characterization of The Lion. But, some songs are emitted, new ones are added, and all the dialogue is new. The show follows the same basic plot of the classic film. Robin Evan Willis is a fantastic Glinda and has an angelic voice. Jacquelyn Piro Donovan is a funny witch, making us laugh with some good one liners and has a pretty good cackle. Lee MacDougall is a fine actor and does the part of the Cowardly Lion justice, but there are issues here that I’ll discuss later. But during this show, I was almost always finding myself enjoying his acting out of the three friends.
He nails the compassion down pat and is an excellent tap dancer. Mike Jackson is one of the best Tin Men I’ve seen. The only thing is with the new material, Jamie decided to yell a few lines as to appear childish. He’s likeable and has new material to work with. When ‘Over the Rainbow’ finally arrives, time slows, and you are reminded why you came to see this show. While there are elements of Garland’s Dorothy, Wade makes the part her own and is probably the best actress I have seen as Dorothy.
Andrew lloyd webber wizard of oz tv#
You’re going to see something that isn’t quite right- something that’ll leave you feeling uncomfortable instead of enchanted.ĭanielle Wade, who won the role of Dorothy through a reality TV competition, is deserving of the ruby slippers.
Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams, this THE WIZARD OF OZ may have “Over the Rainbow” and “We’re off to see the Wizard”, but you’re not going to see the classic film brought to life on stage. But, it was inevitable that eventually, someone would take a pen or a piano and put their magic touch on this fantastic established work. The classic tale of the lost farm girl in a magic land has been around for 75 years, and has still held up. When I heard that someone had decided to ‘rework’ THE WIZARD OF OZ, I was abhorred.
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