THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE NEW YORK // A THEATRE REVIEW OF "THE WONDERFUL REMIX OF OZ"
Dorothy’s journey over the rainbow is a classic tale we’ve all either read or seen on the silver screen at some point in our lives. The story has been revamped in one way or another many times, with the Broadway smash Wicked or the SyFy Network’s mini-series Tinman as merely two examples. These versions worked really well. They are able to flip the story and tell it from another angle. THE WONDERFUL REMIX OF OZ, adapted by Hollie Klem and Jeannette Janquish, hits both high highs and low lows on it's way from The Emerald City into The Big Apple.
Haberdasher Theatre Inc.’s incarnation of this classic is touted as a small town/big city version of the story. As we come into the space, it is bare. You have no idea where the play is set since Auntie Em (Amy Lee Sanchez) is dressed like a cleaning lady and has a slight Latin accent. This makes it difficult to associate her with Dorothy (Jennifer Michaels) who is clearly a small town, farm girl. We’re immediately introduced to Matt Giroveanu, who plays a door-to-door salesman, which is a clever twist. Matt has an incredible presence and a distinct voice that commands attention. Toto, who is invisible throughout the production, has been replaced by a flashlight spotlight. I couldn’t tell if it anyone else could see the light from beyond the front row seat I had. This was altogether distracting and I would have preferred a stuffed dog, in all honesty. Miss Gully (Pamela Karp) seemed to stand out for all the wrong reasons. The opening of the show is probably not as long as it seemed. I wish we had gotten to Oz quicker. After the threat of putting Toto down, Dorothy runs away, only to be confronted by a massive tornado. While the fabric for the tornado was not nearly big enough to cover the actors behind it, I will say that the choreography of “the tornado” was an interesting concept.
I wish I could say I enjoyed any of the other choreography in the show. Whenever a new character was introduced, they performed a small piece of choreo that was supposed to distract from the clunky scene changes. Now, let’s talk about the set. Three small rolling flats that changed with the flip of a board up or down, was very clever since the space was so small. But, and a big one, some of them looked like they had been painted before they were rolled out. Some of the panels didn’t line up at all and I don’t know if the use of the glow tape was supposed to come into play at some point, but all it really did was make the forest look cheap. When Dorothy lands in what would be Munchkin land, she wakes to find herself in a place that is reminiscent of Coney Island. Rather than munchkins, we are given side show performers and a Glinda dressed in a Gaga-esue costume. Glinda, also played by Amy Lee Sanchez, was a character that worked well for me on whole. She was ethereal and odd. She also toted a pink handgun, which was just plain weird (in a good way). We’re introduced to The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Pamela Karp. Most of the choices simply weren’t strong enough. Had the Lion been a Madison Ave wife in need of an expensive therapist, had the Tin Man been a male model, had Toto been a bejeweled lapdog, had the Wicked Witch been Anna Wintour, these would have grabbed my attention. This production needed to go a step further.
The rest of the story plays pretty traditionally. We meet the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion. They make their way to the Emerald City and meet the Gatekeeper. From the ensemble, Taylor Zito was comedy gold. She is one of three ensemble members and each character she portrayed was funny in it’s own unique way. I would watch a show about The Gatekeeper or the Tree any day. The group makes their way to see the Wizard (Matt Girovneau). Once again, Girovneau was very commanding. I couldn’t tell if he actually lost some of his props back stage at one point or if that was just his shtick, either way, great stuff. He brightens the stage with each entrance. A unique choice made by Klem and Janquish was making the flying monkeys a bigger part of the story. Here they're presented as Jersey club kids, which was wonderful in concept but not quite in execution. I think this was the fault of both writing and acting choices. The rest of the play stays true to the classic story line, which was for the best.
Now for the highlights of this “Remix”. The costumes were outstanding. Katie Grammes creates some eye-popping masterpieces. Glinda’s outfit had giant plastic bubbles attached to it’s gypsy shaped bodice. The Wizard’s tattered yet lush jacket was perfect. Hollie Klem’s choice of modern music was fantastic. My favorite was ‘Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked" upon The Wicked Witch’s entrance. It is my pleasure to report that the performances by the four lead characters, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion are brilliant. Jennifer Michaels’ Dorothy is very honest. She has a beautiful calmness on stage. Alex Coelho as the Tin Man is fresh and sincere. Lindsay Arber’s Lioness is a fully realized character. Her lush voice, that to me read forties movie star and was entrancing. Hands down, the best performance in this show comes from Jeff Foley. His Scarecrow is witty, charming, and graceful in his gracelessness. I constantly felt my eyes drifting to him even when he wasn’t speaking. I felt every moment of his journey. His comic timing is effortless. Strong choices by a clearly talented young actor.
The Wonderful Remix of Oz was a garbled in an “almost there” attempt at cultural humor. However, with all it’s faults, Haberdasher succeeds in creating a production that is a good time out at the theatre. I did laugh out loud quite a bit. The choices that are great really carry you through the intermissionless show. Though there are moments when the pacing is dreadful, we all know the story. We know that regardless of camp or flashing lights, Dorothy will get home in the end, whether she is wearing Ruby Slippers or Louboutins.
Based on the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum Written By L. Frank Baum Adapted By Holiie Klem and Jeannette Janquish Directed By Hollie Klem Starring Jennifer Michaels, Jeff Foley, Alex Coelho, Lindsay Arber, Pamela Karp, Matt Giroveanu, Amy Lee Sanchez Content Disclaimer Adult Language Closed on August 31st, 2013 at 13th St. Repertory Theatre (50 W. 13th Street, NYC)
Liz’s Grade: B-
Bottom Line: The story gets you through the door and though clunky at times, the acting and the costumes will keep you in your seat smiling.