RICHMOND —
One of life’s greatest gifts is to always view things from the perspective of a child. My 4-year-old daughter has brought a new meaning and excitement to many aspects of my life. On Thursday, she brought a new awe and wonder to watching a Broadway play.
Eden and I went to “The Wizard of Oz,” at Eastern Kentucky University’s Center for the Arts. I was able to surprise her that day with the tickets to the show. When I picked her up from school and told her we were going to see “The Wizard of Oz,” she let out the biggest squeal I have ever heard, and she asked if we’d see Tic-Toc, the big pumpkin man and the woman with the heads that change. Eden’s only experience with Oz has been with the slightly creepy, but yet fantastic unofficial 1985 movie sequel, “Return to Oz,” starring Fairuza Balk as Dorothy Gale.
The Center was filled with people of all ages – lots of excited little girls were singing, “We’re off to see the wizard” as they waited in the lobby for the show to start.
When the lights dimmed and the Good Witch Glenda made the announcement to turn off all cell phones, you could feel the excitement of all the children (and adults) to relive a live version of one of the greatest movies in history.
Although Eden had never seen the Wizard of Oz, she sang along to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” excitedly whispering, “I know this song, mommy!”
She immediately noticed the sign language interpreters, and asked “What are they doing?” I explained to her that they were there for people who couldn’t hear, and she said, “Oh, that is nice of them to do that, so everyone can enjoy the play!” I believe she was captivated by them for at least one-sixth of the show, repeatedly asking me “What are they saying now?” and “Can I learn how to talk like that?”
The production was fantastic. It started out perfectly sepia during the Kansas scenes and became vibrant and beautiful during the time in Oz. Eden wondered why the colors were brighter when Dorothy and Toto got to Oz. Proving she is my child, when Eden noticed Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, she exclaimed, “I like her red, sparkly shoes!”
While the set for the entire show was fantastic, our favorite, by far, was the Emerald City, perfectly combining two of my favorite things, the color green and the Art Deco era. The “Jitterbug” scene in the haunted forest made me wish I could go back in time and live in the 1930s-era.
The show was a bit more humorous than the 1939 movie. The Scarecrow was hilarious; somehow he contorted and moved his body to appear as though his limbs were really made of loose straw. The Cowardly Lion was quite funny. The Wicked Witch had mastered the wicked laugh and voice. And Dorothy did a great job at playing the innocent, yet feisty farm girl.
The entrance and exit of the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch Glenda were particularly exciting for Eden, as she wondered how they were flying - and how the witch got a fire explosion when she came and left.
Eden noticed the Wicked Witch much more than any other character. She asked so many questions about her, “Is she real?” “What will the witch do?” “Is she real? Or is she in a costume?” “Why is she green?” And when the witch wasn’t around, she HAD to know, “Where is the witch?”
Upon leaving the show, she told me the Wicked Witch was her favorite character. Why?
“Because she laughs and says the same thing you do, Mommy, when you play chase with me and the puppy, ‘hahaha! I’ll get you my pretty and your little dog too!’”
I can’t wait to take her to the next one.
Tinsley Carter is a media advisor at the Richmond Register.
Local News
Related Photos
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Glinda, Good Witch of the North arrives in a floating bubble in the first act of the Broadway production of "The Wizard of Oz" Thursday night at the EKU Center for the Arts. Photo By Nancy Taggart/photo@richmondregister.com
Oz through the eyes of a child
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