INTRODUCTORY NOTE: Mr. Crow attended the Saturday, August 25, performance at which Robin Rector played Dorothy and Kit Wolfe played Miss Gultch/the Wicked Witch of the West. For this reason there is no mention of either Sasha Scott as Dorothy or Kathy Scott as the witch in his review.

Wizard of "AHHs"

by W. Fred Crow, Art and Theater
Milpitas Post, Fremont Bulletin, Berryessa Sun

Over back-to-back weekends, August 24 through September 2, the stage at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos was alive and well with Frank Baum's perennial classic favorite, "The Wizard of Oz."

Under the direction of Kris Andrews, the Shoestring Theatre Company brought life and energy to Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. Andrews directed the large cast and crew of over 90 stage denizens faithful to the original script while keeping the innocence of Baum's creation.

Though Kit Wolfe played a delightfully sinister Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch of the West, the darker side of the tale wasn't presented so darkly as to submerge the central message - that each of us holds power over our own heart, courage, and ingenuity, and that we can master our own destiny.

Shoestring's production, being overly staged, would have benefited from a dose of simplicity. Yet, the play worked on an emotional, personal level. For what was offered, the show was simply enjoyable. A pleasure. Much to an appreciating audience.

From the large cast and crew volunteering time, energy, and talents, to the creativity of the special effects and props, to the orchestra and choreography, to the always-critical sound and light systems, "Oz", as a musical, succeeds.

Ostensibly staged for the younger set, "Oz" was appealing even for adults. While it was enjoyable to watch the focused attention the attending little people gave the stage, it was equally enjoyable to watch parents watching their little people watch the show. Seeing "Oz" though a child's eyes makes it all the more real. So taken by the costuming, especially that of the Cowardly Lion, one little person in front of the stage declared very clearly, "I want to pet the kitty!"

The role of Dorothy was double cast and Robin Rector took us somewhere over the rainbow quite nicely. Marie Rector provided the central home figure, Aunt Em, with Gary Wolfe playing old Uncle Henry.

The trio of yellow-brick walkers, Brian Ricks (Hickory/Tin Man), Caity Andrews (Hannah/Scarecrow), and Rusty Andrews (Zeke/Cowardly Lion) kept to a pleasant pace and even tempo. They interacted well giving the feeling of a true camaraderie. Stan Scott pleasantly rounded out the major characters as Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz. One minor scene stealer of some import, Cherry, the dog playing Toto, was neither impressed nor distressed with her/his performance. A simple treat sufficed as reward.

This year's Shoestring Theatre Company offering was pleasant and entertaining. Each year the talent and skill of the troupe - both in front of the audience and behind the curtain - increases. "The Wizard of Oz" is just another example in a long and growing list of theatrical successes.

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