The Wizard of Oz
- By L. Frank Baum
- With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
- Background Music by Herbert Stothart
The Wizard of Oz
Director
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
The stellar cast, impeccable direction, and sumptuous visuals combine to create a production that is a whirlwind of excellence.
Let the joyous news be spread: The Wizard of Oz dazzles in Montgomery.
The stellar cast, impeccable direction, and sumptuous visuals combine to create a production that is a whirlwind of excellence. ...Melissa Rain Anderson has the courage to direct this production, and she could do no wrong with The Wizard of Oz. Anderson trusts the source material and does not try to reinvent the show. But she interjects humor and heart into the story ...Anderson has a special talent for "stand and deliver" songs that feature one character singing their feelings. "Over the Rainbow" exceeds all expectations I had for the song because of the way Anderson embraced its simplicity and dreaminess. Her direction for "If I Were King of the Forest" gave the song some faux solemnity that made me respect the Cowardly Lion, flaws and all. The Wizard of Oz couldn't ask for a better woman behind the curtain than Anderson. ...Every artist involved in The Wizard of Oz is at the top of their craft. The talent and passion poured into every aspect blew me away. And that is what is most remarkable about this production: The Wizard of Oz is not supposed to blow you away, let alone a cynical middle-aged theatre critic. But it did anyway. Attending The Wizard of Oz at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is a no-brainer.
The stellar cast, impeccable direction, and sumptuous visuals combine to create a production that is a whirlwind of excellence. ...Melissa Rain Anderson has the courage to direct this production, and she could do no wrong with The Wizard of Oz. Anderson trusts the source material and does not try to reinvent the show. But she interjects humor and heart into the story ...Anderson has a special talent for "stand and deliver" songs that feature one character singing their feelings. "Over the Rainbow" exceeds all expectations I had for the song because of the way Anderson embraced its simplicity and dreaminess. Her direction for "If I Were King of the Forest" gave the song some faux solemnity that made me respect the Cowardly Lion, flaws and all. The Wizard of Oz couldn't ask for a better woman behind the curtain than Anderson. ...Every artist involved in The Wizard of Oz is at the top of their craft. The talent and passion poured into every aspect blew me away. And that is what is most remarkable about this production: The Wizard of Oz is not supposed to blow you away, let alone a cynical middle-aged theatre critic. But it did anyway. Attending The Wizard of Oz at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is a no-brainer.
- Choreography by Jessica Chen
- Set Design by Jason Simms
- Costume Design by Theresa Ham
- Lighting Design by Nathan W. Scheuer
- Projection Design by Blake Manns
- Sound Design by Lindsay Jones
- Photos by Aubrie Lemon Moates
Cast: James Beaman, Max Boone, Landon Tate Boyle, Meghan Boyle, Barbara Camara, Sydney Carmona, Nora Cosby, Kendra Cunningham, Michael Dalke, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Thee Ricky Harris, Lara Hayhurst, Griffin Isabell, Liesl Jaye, Millie Johnson, Morgan Karam, Alexis Kinney, Carsten Kjaerulff, Cameron Kuhn, Greta Lambert, Kathy Liu, Drew Margolis, Georgia Claire Marsal, Margaret Ann Mason, Samuel J. Mason, Steve McDonagh, Donovan McFadden, Matthew McGloin, Asa Moates, Wessie Moates, Michael Rios, Nicolette Smith, Gillian Stoltz, Kinsley Camille Sutton, Franco Tomaino, Elizabeth Weil, Adriana Williams, Alfie, Nessa
