Theater Works Va's The Wizard of Oz: A Job Well Done

October 16, 2010 - by Sheila R. Lamb

The Theater Works VA performance of The Wizard of Oz debuted Friday night to an enthusiastic audience at the Cramer Center in Manassas. Based on the classic movie, Kye-Won Kopo directs this multi-aged cast for a family-friendly show, filled with spectacular set designs, costumes, and rousing musical acts.

Haley Jessup plays the quintessential Dorothy and captures the character flawlessly. She makes her entrance down the center aisle of the theater, complete with checkered dress and basket. This is an effective way to add audience interaction in the first scene, as Dorothy searches for her ever-escaping dog, Toto.
(Toto, by the way, is played by a toy stuffed animal terrier. His lively entrances onstage, with the help of cast and crew, add levity and humor to the show. The audience loves Toto!)

Darren Brydie, Austin Cooke, and Journey Pforte portray the farmhands who will eventually become the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, respectively. There is excellent working chemistry between the three and they are able to play off of each other successfully.  Cooke delivers his lines succinctly and garners audience sympathy at the end when his “heart is breaking,” while Pforte fits perfectly into his role as the dramatic lion. Brydie earns kudos due to his physical acting in his many swoops, tumbles, and drops as the Scarecrow tries to walk.

Of course, Oz would not be complete without the Wicked Witch of the West. Katy Chmura portrays Mrs. Gultch with a touch of comedy (referring to her broken basket clasp bought on Ebay) and then turns into the scary witch, who cackles over her evil plots in her castle. The witch’s castle is one of the most elaborate set designs on the stage. Dry ice adds special effects to her brewing cauldron, and mysterious skulls and other props fill out the wicked witch’s lair. The sets are changed between each scene.

Though the matinee performances are a children’s only cast, youngsters also play crucial roles in the evening adult cast productions. The Munchkins and Jitterbugs add animated song and dance acts, lighting up the stage with their colorful costumes. The scenes with Chmura and children’s cast of flying monkeys, Poppies and Winkies epitomize the mentorship philosophy behind Theater Works VA in this evening adult cast production.

Kopko gives the audience a warm welcome and explains the unique aspects of this production. In addition to being an artistic endeavor, it is also educational. According to Kopko, adults mentor the children in acting techniques, such as characters and timing. Previously, she has only worked with children’s groups and this is her first adult production – a job well done.

The Wizard of Oz is playing for two weekends at The Cramer Center in Old Town Manassas.

The Cramer Center

9008 Center Street,

Manassas, VA.

Tickets are available at The Cramer Center Box Office, or in advance at www.boxofficetickets.com.

Prices:

$10 Adults, $7 Students - in advance

$12 Adults, $8 Students - at the door

Evening performances (Adult cast) are Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM

Matinée performances (Youth cast) are Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3PM.

To learn more about TheaterWorks VA check out their website: http://www.theaterworksva.com.

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to review your show - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.