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Review: There's No Place Like 'Oz'

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By KEVIN WALKER

kwalker@tampatrib.com

Published: October 16, 2008

TAMPA - The stage production of "The Wizard of Oz," which opens the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's 22nd season, is an excellent way to introduce children to musical theater.

But more than anything else, the stage production shows the enduring power of songs written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Just phrases such as "if I only had a brain" or "ding, dong, the witch is dead" put a tune immediately into your head.

The main pleasure of this show is to lose yourself again in those songs, this time performed by an orchestra and a talented set of singers.

Foremost among them on opening night was Cassie Okenka as Dorothy. Her first test comes quickly: singing "Over the Rainbow" while sitting next to a dog and not being Judy Garland. She performed wonderfully, as she did for the rest of the show, earning a standing ovation.

Another standout was Noah Aberlin as the Scarecrow, a demanding role in that it requires a lot of physical comedy, which he pulled off (even at his curtain call).

Chris Kind as the Tin Man and Jason Simon as the Lion also were excellent, with Simon making the most of a joke that references "The Lion King."

Additions such as singing crows and sultry trees hit just the right note. The show also featured children from across the Tampa Bay area playing Munchkins.

One forgets that most of the great songs are in the front half of the show, which may be one reason many children in the audience were looking sleepy in the last half hour or so.

The show continues at 7:30 tonight, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, call (813) 222-1000.

ON STAGE

"The Wizard Of Oz"

WHEN: 7:30 tonight; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

HOW MUCH: $38.50 to $72.50; (813) 222-1000

Kevin Walker can be reached at (813) 259-7975.

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