REVIEW: Leading Performers Ideal Fit as Iconic Roles in new Circa “Wizard of Oz”
When you have intellectual property as famous and beloved as “The Wizard of Oz,” it can be a heavy lift in more ways than one to live up to tremendous audience expectations. But a flawless new production at Circa ’21 in Rock Island more than rises to the challenge – thoroughly entertaining, satisfying and makes you see the well-worn show in new ways.
Running through Sept. 5, this glorious, emotional live version (with pre-recorded musical accompaniment) of L. Frank Baum’s dreamlike storybook tale (first published in 1900 and brought to the screen in 1939) boasts such unforgettable songs as “If I Only Had a Brain,” “Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead” and the timeless “Over the Rainbow.”
As viewers of all ages know, “The Wizard of Oz” finds Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreaming of escaping her mundane life. The family’s mean neighbor Miss Gulch threatens to impound Dorothy’s cherished dog Toto, so Dorothy and Toto run away. They meet up with Professor Marvel, who convinces Dorothy to return home.
Sophie Kaegi, left, and Gillian Weatherford in Circa ’21’s new “The Wizard Oz.”
Suddenly a cyclone hits and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the magical Land of Oz. Shortly after arriving, Dorothy meets Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Dorothy’s house has landed upon and fatally stricken the Wicked Witch of the East. Dorothy consequently dons her priceless ruby slippers, seeks a way back home to Kansas and sets off to see the Wizard of Oz alongside three new friends: the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. But the departed witch’s malevolent sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, has other plans for the storybook heroes.
Directing and choreographing Circa ’21’s new production of “Oz” is venue veteran Tony Parise, whose previous musicals for the dinner playhouse have included “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” and “Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver.” He last directed “Wizard of Oz” here in 2003, and the new version reflects an innovative new vision and some impressive technological effects (with the help of magic consultant and FX director John B. Boss).
Adam Cerny and Sophie Kaegi in Circa’s “Wizard of Oz.”
A permanent major set piece on stage is a giant swirl (symbolizing the tornado near the start of the tale), sepia-tone and shades of gray, on which performers can move up across the stage, with a valley space in the circular center. That makes a certain amount of sense, but detracts as well by completely abandoning the story’s singular Yellow Brick Road – which is literally the subject of the third song, and the path by which the main characters make their way to the Emerald City to visit the titular wizard, to seek a brain, heart, courage and a way home.
Parise does compensate visually by providing a few key fire effects (related to Scarecrow), and a dominant rear screen, onto which he projects key backdrops – such as the storm, a rainbow, blue skies of Munchkinland, a green sky for the Emerald City in Act II, and most impressively, the threatening, imposing filmed scenes of Music Guild veteran Harold Truitt as the bald Wizard. With a booming, deep voice, a free-floating green head surrounded by flames on screen, these scenes where our protagonist quartet beg for help are wondrous and frightening, even more menacing than the famous MGM film.
Jeremy Littlejohn and Sophie Kaegi.
Parise also accomplishes the most important feat of any director – ensuring the cast is played by the best people for the parts, and here each Circa lead seems ideally fit for these iconic characters.
Making her Circa debut as Dorothy is 21-year-old Sophie Kaegi, and she makes you forget about some girl named Judy Garland, and clearly makes the part all her own. From her soaring, tender, lovely “Over the Rainbow,” Kaegi firmly, forcefully embodies Dorothy, who is no weak wallflower, but consistently showcases the farm girl’s restlessness, ambition, independence, resilience and feisty character.
Kaegi’s Dorothy is a true leader who also shows true empathy, and we see her strength in scenes where she initially stands up to the aggressive, blustery Lion (which is all for show, since he’s really a scaredy cat), and later lecturing the mighty Wizard himself.
Jeremy Littlejohn,left, Bobby Becher, Brad Hauskins, Adam Cerny, and Sophie Kaegi in “The Wizard of Oz,” running through Sept. 5 at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island.
Additional iconic characters are played to perfection by Adam Cerny (Scarecrow), Bobby Becher (Tin Man), Jeremy Littlejohn (Cowardly Lion), Madeline Brennan (the Wicked Witch of the West), Gillian Weatherford (Glinda and Aunt Em), and head Circa Bootlegger Brad Hauskins (Uncle Henry and the Emerald City guard).
As the film did, I especially love how the main friends (here played by three of the nicest people in QC theater) naturally express their character’s innocence, idealism, compassion and heart. Each one’s version of “If I Only Had a…” are among many highlights here.
Cerny is appropriately limber and flexible as Scarecrow; Becher nails the simplicity and goodness of Tin Man (betraying the fact he doesn’t have a heart at first by immediately crying), and Littlejohn is priceless in the playful role of Lion, making the most of his extended Act II “King of the Forest” (including a big, plush, green robe) with his friends.
Gillian Weatherford (right) plays Glinda, with Sophie Kaegi as Dorothy and the Munchkins.
The ensemble also shines throughout with spunk and enthusiasm, especially in the Munchkin numbers of the first half, and the very strong “Merry Old Land of Oz” in Act II. Costume designer Bradley Robert Jensen ensures the key yellow in Act I comes through in outfits, wigs, and use of yellow umbrellas. Scenic designer Ken Brinson, scenic artist Becky Meissen and lighting designer Nicole Blodig also have vital roles in making all this magic come to life.
Weatherford (regal in her riot of sparkly pink gown and tall crown) and Brennan (ruthlessly mean, angry and prickly in green and black) both excel as the antagonist witches. When Truitt returns as the more humble hero late in the story (a good man, but not a good wizard), we miss the actual curtain he was supposed to be hiding behind, and then when he brings on the basket of the hot-air balloon that was to take Dorothy back to Kansas, it leaves without him in it (unlike the movie).
Jeremy Littlejohn (left), as Lion, Bobby Becher as Tin Man, Adam Cerny as Scarecrow and Sophie Kaegi as Dorothy greet Brad Hauskins as the Emerald City Guard in “The Wizard of Oz.”
Parise also chooses to end the return home (where Dorothy learns her lesson that “There’s no place like home”) with a different reunion of characters, compared to what we’re used to.
These nitpicks aside, this is a full-throated, full-hearted “Wizard of Oz” that should not be missed.
Rounding out the Circa cast are Nathan Ancheta, Croix Baker, Topher Elliott, Hannah Marie Felver, Jakob Innes, Samantha Ferrante, Chloe Schwab and Rachel Winter, with the children’s ensemble including Sofia Alleruzzo, Elizabeth Browne, Marian Driscoll, Brighton Greim, Fulton Young and Olivia Young.
The “Wizard of Oz” cast at Circa ’21, running through Sept. 5, 2026.
“The Wizard of Oz” will be presented through Sept. 5 with performances on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday matinées at 1:15 p.m. Pre-show entertainment featuring the theatre’s wait staff the Bootleggers will also precede all performances.
The Bootleggers always show off great energy and solid harmonies, but I was surprised they didn’t include any “Wicked” songs in this pre-show (were the rights too expensive?). Appropriately, we do get “Ease on Down the Road” (from “The Wiz”), two versions of “Tin Man” (from America and Miranda Lambert) and the snarky joke “Africa” by Toto (get it?). The main show features two adorable dogs alternating as Dorothy’s best friend (who vanishes for much of the production).
A scene from “The Wizard of O” at Circa ’21, through Sept. 5, directed and choreographed by Tony Pari
Ticket prices are $70 for the Friday – Sunday productions and $63 for the Wednesday productions. Reduced prices for students, seniors and groups of 12 or more are also available.
The theater is also offering a special show-only matinee on Saturday, August 1st. Tickets are $45 for adults and $25 for children 18 and under.
Reservations are available through the Circa ’21 ticket office at 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island or by calling 309-786-7733 ext. 2. Online reservations can be made at circa21.com.
A climactic scene with a projected Wizard of Oz confronting Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow at Circa ’21, directed by Tony Parise.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.