Theater Review: "Dorothy's Christmas in Oz" by Pantochino Productions

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Pantochino Productions, now “celebrating fifteen years of ridiculousness,” is presenting its holiday offering, an original musical titled “Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz.” The production, which is perfectly timed to run when the excitement over the film version of “Wicked” is sweeping the nation, was penned by Bert Bernardi. Bernardi worked with his partner, the Pantochino resident musical director Justin Rugg, to construct this clever homage to Dorothy’s travels to the land of Oz.

This clever and funny musical is set many years after Dorothy returns from Oz in Kansas and various locations in the land of Oz, and Glinda makes her first exit remarking “We have a plot.” It is a sequel to the beloved “Wizard of Oz” film, updated with some contemporary touches and filled with plenty of inside jokes. The broad comedic touches are delivered perfectly and my face hurt from grinning my way through the two acts.

The score for this show is especially memorable in its scope. There is an overture that hints at the songs that were included on the musical highlights listed on a printout that was thoughtfully left on my table. In Kansas, the farmhands help to sing “There Ain’t No Christmas No More,” Dorothy performs an actual torch song with “Christmas in Oz,” the villainous green witch gloats “I Got You,” the first act ends with a disco version reprise of “There’s No Place Like Christmas.”

The second act features a rock anthem “Oh Santa (Hear My Plea)” and the cheeky “An Undisclosed Location” sung by the Emerald Citizens. I thought I heard a subtle riff on the music of “Wicked,” but it could have just been a “Popular” notion on my part.

Killingworth resident Mary Mannix, a founding member of this company, reprises her role as the now adult Dorothy and Ella Bedenbaugh, in her second Pantochino mainstage show, gives a polished performance as her daughter, also named Dorothy.

Shelley Marsh Poggio, although omitted from the cast list in the program, reprises the role of the Wicked Witch of the West. In green makeup and a spectacular red, white and black costume, the talented actress gleefully brings the witch to life with the familiar cackle.

Three farm hands are played by Killian Meehan, Justin Rugg and Jimmy Johansmeyer, who transform into Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow respectively. All three bring charm and twinkle in their eye to their characters.

Victoria Sautee takes on the role of the sparkly Glinda and Brennan Simonelli has two brief walk-ons as her daughter. Sautee clearly penned the best virtual bio, in which she is dubbed the “Quintessence of Effervescence,” and she reminds her fans that she was the star of the online pandemic-era show “Let’s Learn Stuff.”

The ensemble features Long Island University Post graduate Justin Amaro, Katie Durham, Leanne Onofrio and Chad Celini, who was recently part of The Bright Young Things Cabarets performed at Phoenix Stage Company.

Valerie Solli of Milford covers the role of the sweet Auntie Em and Maria Berte returns to this stage to play Linda “The Good Witch of the North Pole.” Davis Burke has the role of the Wizard in his second mainstage show. A special Christmas Guest is played by the delightful Don Poggio, the resident technical supervisor. Christina Ronquillo is the production stage manager.

Somehow Bernardi managed to direct the cast while simultaneously appearing in the show, although I won’t spoil in what way. Costumes and wigs by Jimmy Johansmeyer once again help bring the story to life, while flattering their wearer and filling the stage with color. I loved the ensembles for the dancers at “The Emerald” disco and the knitted costume for Lion that was topped with a frizzy mane of hair that warranted a running gag. A collection of props were probably not in fact “found on clearance at Homegoods.” The “it’s all green” setting was designed by Von Del Mar with lighting by Jakob Kelsey. Sound by Tyler Kittleman functioned well throughout.

Performances continue at the Milford Arts Council, the MAC, through Dec. 22. Tickets at pantochino.com.

Nancy Sasso Janis is the membership chair of the Connecticut Critics Circle (ctcritics.org.)

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

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