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There’s no place like New Castle for ‘Oz’
By STEPHANIE OTTEY
New castle, pa.
There’s a cash-cow mooing on Aunt Em and Uncle Henry’s farm as The New Castle Playhouse once again presents “The Wizard of Oz.”
Frank L. Baum’s epicly popular tale is beautifully re-created on the theater’s main stage. Under the direction of Michael Cavalier, an impeccably cast group of actors brings the famous musical to life.
Mariah Fornataro rises to the challenge of re- creating one of the most iconic roles for young people in musical theater: Dorothy Gale. Fornataro is wide-eyed and naive as she gets swept through Oz, and plays the part with a dainty innocence that children love and adults appreciate. It’s easy to believe her as she wails “there’s no place like home.”
Alan McCreary is everything a good Scarecrow should be. Physically, he is bumbly and fumbly, as though the stage is covered in butter, and he adopts a gentle vocal tone that enhances the loveability of the character tenfold. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role.
Thanks to a remarkable costume and some well-placed sound effects that are synchronized with the action, the Tinman, played by Coy Price, is practically an exact replica of the movie version of the character. Price maneuvers stiffly around stage, and surpasses all expectations for the role.
Anthony Geramita is the vocal standout of the show as the cowardly Lion. With a deep, rich, vocal tone, Geramita adds a classical polish to “If I Were the King of the Forest” that makes the number a show- stopper. Pitch-perfect comedic timing, and highly expressive facials make him a standout in the show.
Lynn Nelson Rafferty is a sinister, nasty Ms. Gulch in the first scenes, and then transforms into a campy, goofy Wicked Witch of the West who could use some lessons in scariness. She is silly and funny, which may appeal to young children, but loses the harsh villainous quality that a truly wicked witch should have.
The large chorus of munchkins may be the most impressive part of the show. Dozens of children fill the stage, singing and dancing expertly in unison. Their energy and excitement fills the theater; it’s impossible not to smile as you watch them.
The brightly colored, and beautifully detailed costumes greatly aid in the creation of these characters. The traditional change from black and white to technicolor is flawless thanks to some smart stunt-double work.
Director Michael Cavalier makes smart choices in keeping the expected qualities of “The Wizard of Oz,” with only a very light touch of modern humor. Cavalier keeps the pace brisk with seamless scene changes. He ambitiously includes some charming special effects, as well as a fly system to hoist Glinda and the Flying Monkeys into the sky. The system works well for the most part, although some squeaks reveal it could use a hit from the Tinman’s oil can.