MVHS Drama Travels To The Land Of Oz

By CATHERINE ELLERTON

Moapa Valley Progress

For well over 100 years this timeless tale has enthralled audiences. It has been translated into a Broadway Musical and into a musical film adaptation. In fact the Library of Congress declared it “America’s greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale.”

Last week, the Moapa Valley High School Theatre Department took it on; bringing to life, once again, the Munchkins, the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, Cowardly Lion, Monkey Queen, Flying Monkeys, and Dorothy herself. And we mustn’t forget those famous Ruby Slippers.
These young thespians had an uphill battle as this tale is so well know and the characters so ingrained in everyone’s imagination.
But they succeeded!

It is enjoyable watching characters being ‘built.’ Ethan Smedley as the Scarecrow did an excellent job and had complete control over his body as he sagged and swayed. F. J. Beible as the Tin Woodsman and Sam Jolley as the Cowardly Lion created characters that were believable. The Flying Monkeys (Anna Bush, Analise Jorgensen and Brylee Watkins) were a delight to watch as they ‘flew’ about, on stage and through the audience, and did the bidding of the Monkey Queen (Chloe Simmonds).

The stage play is narrated by Nathaniel Brill which gives a consistency to the action. By the way, Brill also played the Wizard himself!

As a stage play, one is not mesmerized by the music, the fancy movie sets or the professional actors. But theatre-goers have a unique opportunity to focus on the story and the lessons therein. And that is, perhaps, why this fairytale has remained so popular.

Dorothy as portrayed by Keeley Watkins is the pivotal character who keeps everyone else inspired and unified to find a common goal. She lands on this mystical area and promptly wants to return home. She is advised to find the Wizard of Oz by following the Yellow Brick Road.

On her journey she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman and Cowardly Lion, who join her hoping to find a magical solution to their problems. As they continue on and meet obstacles on the way, without realizing it, they begin to use their brains, find a heart when they begin to care for their companions and strength when they stand up to protect others.

A clever piece of staging was when the group runs into the Wicked Witch (played by Sara Udall) whom is eventually killed by ‘water’ which is thrown into the audience also.

Soon they come to the Emerald City and find the Wizard hiding in his Throne Room. This mild man, a ventriloquist, Side Show magician and balloonist landed on this country accidentally. Because he was afraid of the Wicked Witches he hid behind a screen and a fake voice and advised the townspeople to wear green glasses so everything would seem even better.
Eventually, the Wizard finally finds the strength and courage to return to his home after Dorothy had killed the Wicked Witches.

Lessons were given throughout the story – To the Scarecrow: “To use your brains you must learn something every day and experience everything.” To the Tin Woodsman: “It is not how much you love but how much others love you.” As the Wizard and Dorothy return to Kansas she affirms that “Perhaps you need not look further than your own back yard for your happiness and contentment.”