‘The Wizard of Oz’: Another View

With glowing smiles, madcap adventure, and all the colors of the rainbow, Springfield Township High School enchanted in its production of the whimsical fantasy The Wizard of Oz.

From the sweeping planes of pastoral Kansas to the candy-coated, technicolor land of Oz, The Wizard of Oz spins a captivating tale. Originally a 1939 movie-musical starring Judy Garland and a touring stage show as of 1987, The Wizard of Oz tells of Dorothy Gale (Caroline Podraza), a young girl wishing to escape her tedious and misunderstood farm life for the thrills that lie "over the rainbow." With a crash of thunder, a whirlwind miraculously blows her away to just that place - Oz. But when friendly scarecrows, evil witches and the most adorable little munchkins enter the fray, a fanciful evening takes hold.

In a spirited effort, Springfield's large ensemble spread a wildly contagious bug of joy with its unfailing sense of fun and unsinkable gusto.

Podraza gave Dorothy a sweet, delicate tone, committing wholly to the role and exhibiting a loving character. As her friend the Scarecrow, Sean Vermeire sang with a gleeful tenor, engaging in heartwarming and thoroughly comic exchanges with Dorothy and other cast members.

Also hilarious was Ben Vizzachero as the Lion Dorothy befriends along the way. Vizzachero's lovably kind charm matched his well-supported baritone. Even more supernatural than a talking lion, Lucy Stone, in her portrayal of the good witch Glinda, also brought laughs, and shone with her lilting speech and refined, elegant soprano. In contrast, then, was the cruel cackle of the iconic villain the Wicked Witch of the West. Lily Harrison's take on the role stayed true to the original film, displaying skillful vocal acting and a character evil to the core.

With a rustic, country cottage, intricate backdrops and a wash of violets, greens and yellows, Springfield's Oz was a technical success. The student-run lighting and sound served well to create a magical atmosphere, and a swift stage crew added further to the world the cast created.

Springfield's delightful production of The Wizard of Oz brought not only cheer but a sense of hope: perhaps there is such a place where everyone has a heart, a brain and a nerve, "somewhere over the rainbow."