Helping her ease on down the road are, of course, the three friends she makes along the road. Wayne Higgs is a soulful but brainless Scarecrow Born on the Day Before Yesterday. Unfortunately his microphone malfunctioned on the preview night during his solo, but fortunately I was still close enough to hear his great voice that came back fully microphoned in the second act. John Givens is a hoot as Slide Some Oil to Me Tin Man. Preston Butler isn’t quite the Mean Ole Lion that he claims to be (while nervously taking care not to let little, vicious Toto get too close to him), but he is a hilarious ole lion. There’s his reaction to being hit upon by the gay gate guard (responding to the flirting with a ruffled, “Oh, hell no!”). He also may be found collapsing into a fetal position and crying, “Mama!” Or seriously digging a poppy field after he realizes the poppies are beautiful women. Or in a last gasp desperation shouting out, “I’m an endangered species!”

Other odd inhabitants of Oz include Evilene, a wicked witch who sure doesn’t want to hear No Bad News, with Beonca Hudgens using intimidating voice, body language, outfit, and whip to command fear and brown-nosing from her brown-nosing and fearful ensemble of minions. Jessica Miller makes for an amusingly funky and glittery Addaperle (a good witch not to be confused with the more well-known good witch Glinda played by a gentle and kindly Michelle Molin). Jordan Osmar is a fun and loyal Toto in Oz who goes after Lion with such ferocity that he runs right out of his dog ears. Daniel Prado is a memorable Gate Guard who uses a rainbow-colored duster to complement his orientation, and who gives Lion yet another reason to be nervous. And Matt Berry is a total dumb jock super hero complete with cape as the Wizard of Oz himself. While elsewhere, Aunt Em (Nicole Newsom) knocks out her big solo, and the ensemble rocks in various guises, from Munchkins to poppies to Emerald City citizens to winged monkeys, Winkies, and singing set pieces (instead of pit singers).

Performed March 27 - April 5, 2009.

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre

~ Cast ~