The Wizard of Oz

Well, the kiddie-drama folks have another show on the boards which follows their well-tried and happy formula. They've developed their own style of mixing a touch of satire for the grown-ups with a touch of honest make-believe for the children, and each production is distinctive for which of the two out-performs the other. While in both book and direction The Wizard of Oz offers some off-hand humor, its charm chiefly will attract the young fry. Five, discounting the HDC, attended last night's opening.

The lines of the cast at the beginning are often facetious and sometimes excruciatingly funny. After the introduction, however, the players settle down in their roles, and though they never lose spontaneity, they appear to hack around much less. The development of the story, written by Arlene Grimes, Jake Severance, and Mary Carleton, is conventional, but Earle Edgerton's staging shows several imaginative touches. The songs are never really captivating, except for "You Gotta Work for Your Wishes," and "Flowers Are Dancing A Minuet," the theme-song finale which the Children's Theatre has used for its last three shows.

Betsy Nelson, as Dorothy, must separate her emotions from the foolishness of her clown-friends, and in not displaying much sympathy she does this only to a limited extent. The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion, as played by John Bernard, Fred Morehouse, and John Fenn, have a lot more fun and are very successful. Marc Brugnoni's excellent Wizard has a winsomeness and honesty which is very appealing. He, Fenn, and Anne Adams, in the dubious role of the Good Witch, turn in the happiest performances in pleasant, sprightly show.