Theater Review: 'The Wizard of Oz' at Madison Middle School

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The aptly named Madison Middle School Broadway Babies put together a well-rehearsed production of the classic “The Wizard of Oz” for one weekend only. Deana Saunders Ebert directed the middle school students with the help of fellow teacher Lisa Cerulli as the producer and stage manager. Eva SantaCapita was their rehearsal assistant.

The students presented the Youth Edition of the Frank L. Baum story with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y.Harburg, and dance and vocal arrangements by Peter Howard. This version was adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company, based on the iconic motion picture.

Ms. Ebert directed this show at Madison Middle School back in 2004, exactly 20 years ago. She has difficulty taking credit for a show. “Yes, I direct the young actors, teach the songs, choreograph the movements etc…but the cast brings it to life.” Ms. Cerulli told the audience during the curtain call that the scariest four words to hear from her partner is “I have an idea,” and this production was full of them. It was apparent that the musical director helped the singers handle the vocal challenges of the score.

As the musical director, Ebert must wear many hats and because she has her hand in every aspect of the show, she is able to “to take care of each cast member to make sure they shine.”

And shine they did!

Nora Lehman led the cast in the role of Dorothy Gale and sang clearly and acted very well as the iconic character. Reese Hogan was a delight as Toto once Dorothy arrived in Oz, adding some cute comedy. Ava Martini was a caring Aunt Em and Jayden Almonte got to play both Uncle Henry and the Ozian Doorman.

As Dorothy’s cohorts, Sarah Ayres played Hunk and the Scarecrow, Nate Angus was Hickory and Tin Man and Zach Hamilton covered Zeke and the Cowardly Lion (“It I Were King of the Forest.”) Autumn Settembre was strong in the iconic role of the evil Miss Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. (My parents loved to tease me that as a young child I would run out of the room when Margaret Hamilton would come on the television screen as the Wicked Witch.)

Luke Nagy portrayed Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz and Ryan Lotty was the lovely Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Glinda was backed by her own personal bubbles, played by Maggie Withrow, Charlotte Ruddock and Genevieve Young, who also played gypsies to Prof. Marvel.

I was impressed with Archana Unn as the jazz soloist in “The Jitterbug” in a sparkly red gown and Juliette Wolf as the Queen of Emerald City. Wolf sang with Dorothy in a surprise addition with the full cast at the gates of the Emerald City “One Short Day.” If you know, you know, and I loved it. There was also an unexpected reprise of “Over the Rainbow” late in the second act that was quite touching

The talented dance ensemble, who appeared as the cyclone, crows, jitterbugs and Ozian Wizomania dancers, included Lilly Cooke, Brooke Lambert, Chloe Mitchell, Zofia Piatkowski, Archana Unni and Juliette Wolf. Lambert, Unni and Wolf were credited as student choreographers. The choreography for the crows was probably my favorite. I liked how the ensemble members used the aisles for a few entrances and exits.

The cheeky apple trees in long costumes and green umbrellas as their boughs were played well by Maggie Winthrow, Olivia Corica (who also played Nikko,) Charlotte Ruddock and Genevieve Young.

The performance was performed with musical tracks and the singers/dancers almost always stayed with it. The set design was done by the director and the producer, with construction by Nathan Erb, and the delightful costume design was the work of Ms. Ebert. Costume sewing was done by Grandma Staffaroni and Abuela Amore and kudos to both. Gabe Weitzman was credited with the sound tech and the lighting crew helped the cast members to shine. Props managers Abigail Erb and Audrey Erb had lots to do.

I appreciated the house announcements that included a reminder to the middle school students about correct behavior as an audience member. The director joked that she would “sweep you away with my broom” if they did not comply.

The school was filled with parent volunteers in “Wizard of Oz” show shirts, helping with every aspect of the performance as they supported the students. The director shared that she has “the extra adventure to creatively use what we have from past shows and work with a minimal budget, which presents added challenges.” As is the cast with many school theater programs, she managed to put together a production that looks great despite a shoestring budget.

Congratulations to the students who put so much work into the show and to the adults who work with them. Thank you to Ms. Ebert for the invitation to attend and allowing me to add another school to my reviewing list.

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.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.