“Follow the Yellow-Brick Road…”

   Indeed if this road leads to seeing the Ashland University Theatre production of “The Wizard of Oz,” then following it is recommended.

   Seeing the opening performance last Friday was as much of a no-brainer to me as it is to the story’s Scarecrow character. 

   I had to see for myself what the theatre department has been working on so strenuously since the very beginning of this semester.

   The production includes an incredibly large cast consisting of university students, children from the Ashland community, a real dog (none other than Quinn Petry!), and even the Assistant Professor of Theatre Scott Hudson. 

   There is an evident chemistry on stage between all of the cast members that really makes the performance worth-while.   

    Additionally, if you have been seeking a piece of entertainment equipped with musically-inclined talent, you can look no further. 

   The voice-work present throughout the familiar show-tunes in “The Wizard of Oz” is spot on.

   The lead roles of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion (Ariel McCleary, Nick Seemann, De’Andre Peterson, and Jake Riley, respectively) do impressively well with both singing and remaining loyal to their original 1939 motion picture counterparts. In addition to this, director Bob Russell also implemented new elements for his own rendition of the show.

   Talent is not a large enough word either, because during the opening performance the lead roles were tested on their improvisational skills: something I found truly entertaining to watch unfold. The cast accidentally misplaced the Tin Man’s oil can when it accidentally fell off of the stage. Without it, the cast had to find an alternative to unfreezing the rusted-over Tin Man which led to the Lion cleverly delivering a firm smack on his back. Steady improvisation without any temptation of character break is a true measure of theatrical magic.

   Technically speaking, I had to literally applaud the costume crew for accommodating a copious amount of work. The varying costumes consisted of everything from the smaller inhabitants of Munchkin-land to the obscure and creepy physique of the notorious flying monkeys.

   My only major critique of the production would be the attempted use of special effects and sound effects throughout the performance. Toto’s fake dog bark was evidently artificial. 

   The use of visual aids on the upstage screen were also poorly executed. With that being said, these factors are minor in the production value as a whole.

   “The Wizard of Oz” continues with more performances this weekend. 

   The last two productions will take place on Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. 

   Tickets are still available for both nights and can be purchased at the AU Box Office in the Center for the Arts Building. You can also call them at (419) 289-5125.