Review: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard Of Oz At The Broward Center

BY SARAH SHARPE

Whatever mode of transportation you prefer (twister, horse of a different color, broomstick, bubble, or simply following the Yellow Brick Road), make your way down to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to go see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of the classic musical, The Wizard of Oz, playing from January 7th to January 19th. Filled with new songs, new laughs, and new special effects, this production will remind you why you fell in love with the original movie in the first place.

The show stars Danielle Wade as Dorothy Gale, Jamie McKnight as the Scarecrow, Mike Jackson as the Tin Man, Lee MacDougall as the Cowardly Lion, Cedric Smith as the Wizard, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Robin Evan Willis as Glinda the Good Witch. This cast brings new life to an old classic. Wade’s powerhouse voice (especially her belting during “Over the Rainbow”), McKnight’s impeccable comedic timing, and Piro Donovan’s hilarious re-imagining of a formerly feared character, are all elements that make this show stand out among the hundreds of adaptations of The Wizard of Oz. Webber and Jeremy Sans have also adapted the book, giving the actors great new material to work with. My favorite moment in the show had to be when the Tin Man and Cowardly Lion commented on Dorothy’s famous line to the Scarecrow, “I think I’ll miss you most of all.”

This 21st century adaption also added some brilliant technological aspects to the show. Through computer-generated imagery (CGI), locations, such as the Haunted Forest and the witch’s castle, were brought to life. My favorite sequence using CGI was definitely the twister. It allowed you to follow the journey of the Gale farmhouse through the cyclone and even brought you into outer space. The house even filled with lights that represented stars when the farmhouse reached zero gravity. It was very cool.

From the second that famous overture starts playing, you know you’re going to be in for a treat. The Wizard of Oz does Frank L. Baum’s novel some serious justice. Whether you grew up with the movie as a kid or are just experiencing the magic of Oz for the first time, this musical is perfect for the entire family. Now, head over to the Broward Center…before somebody drops a house on you, too!