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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2002-11-27, Page 27r The Family of Sam and Anne Thompson invites you to celebrate their parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary On November 30, 2002 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Wingham Legion L A Best Wishes Only FRI.-THURS. NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5 GODERICH 524-7811 FRI. & SAT. 6:45 & 9:15 PM SUN.-THURS. 7:30 PM SAT. & SUN. MAT. 1:30 PM ALL MAT. SEATS '4.25 7:30 PM NIGHTLY SAT. & SUN. MAT. 1:30 PM FRIGHTENING SCENES SORRY - NO PASSES LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1400-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO f f~ *Happy 3rd Birthday * 44- Love always Mommy, Daddy, Bubbe and Boca bec . 1" Daniel-boo THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2002. PAGE 27. Entertainment & Leisure Theatre review `Wizard' brings magic to Grand stage By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher The movie The Wizard of Oz, starts out in black and white and only when Dorothy is swept, by a tornado, from drab Kansas to the fantasy land of Oz does the techni- color lights up the screen. Likewise, in London's Grand Theatre's pro- duction of The Wizard of Oz, it takes Dorothy's arrival in Oz for the magic to take over. The London production's opening scenes in Kansas don't seem particu- larly promising with the actors seeming totally unsuitable for the Kansas parts they play. Claire Porter seems far too young as Aunty Em and Nancy McAlear not nearly stern enough to play Miss Gultch. But Dorothy's arrival in Oz trans- forms not only the stage but the cast. Porter, now as the good witch Glinda, and McAlear as the Wicked Witch, suddenly seem right for the parts. Edward BdIanger, non- descript at the farmhand Hunk back in Kansas, lights up the stage as the Check out The Citizen's WEBSITE at www.northhuron.on.ca CAPITOL KED TWIN CINEMA SURROUND SOUND STEREO LISTOWEL 291-3070 STARTS FRIDAY CINEMA 1 7 P.M. only PG Sat. & Sun. 3:30 IRM. HARRY POTTER CHAMBER OF SECRETS CINEMA 2 7 & 9 P.M. AA Sat. & Sun. 3:30 PAL 8 MILE athletic, double-jointed Scarecrow. The non-traditional casting also is less jarring once the play moves in to Oz. You couldn't help noticing Michelle E. White didn't look like a "Zeke" when she played the farm- hand in Kansas but as the cowardly Lion in Oz, her sparkling personality takes over. Similarly, Karim Morgan made an unlikely Uncle Henry in turn-of-the-century rural Kansas but provided moments that had the audi- ence laughing as he became a West Indian guard at Oz's castle. The non-traditional edge to the production goes farther when hip- hop dance rhythms enter Oz at one point. The setting for Oz looks like an illustration lifted from a story book, filling the huge Grand stage with gigantic painted leaves and flowers. The production is at its best in the latter part of act one when Dorothy and her dog Toto (a loveably obedi- ent pooch) meet the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion and begin their jour- ney to Oz in the hope that the won- derful wizard can fulfill their dreams. Adding to the spirit and live- liness of Oz are 10 energetic young- sters recruited from local schools who play the munchkins, trees in the enchanted forest and later the Winkies and the Flying Monkeys. Music is a big part of The Wizard Of Oz with such familiar songs as Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead and generally the cast is well up to the musical requirements, though at times the musical accompaniment seems a little less than lush. The stage version of Wizard of Oz closely follows the movie's script and it's in ,the most movie-like sequences that the weaknesses show up. The sound of the tornado is excellent, virtually shaking the the- atre, but the visual effects, though inventive. seem too small. In act two, when the delightful characters take a back seat to special effects required, including the melt- ing Wicked Witch, it's difficult to sustain the drive of the production. Despite the fun of the Wizard taking off back to Kansas in a balloon that rose out of sight and other stage trickery; the momentum of the show seems to get side-tracked. Still, the production, directed by Campbell Smith, seemed to enchant the opening night audience on Friday, which gave the cast a stand- ing ovation at the end. There was a NCCI present showcase Staff and students at Nancy Campbell Collegiate Institute (NCCI) invite the local and regional community to explore their interna- tional private Boarding and Day School on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. Following the open house, stu- dents will present a performance of music, dance, and drama at 7 p.m. Admission to the performance is $5. All proceeds go to the Nancy Campbell Scholarship Foundation. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. NCCI is a number one ranked high school in Ontario (academical- ly), according to Fraser Institute's Report Card on Secondary Schools. NCCI is renowned for inspiring aca- demic excellence within a clear moral framework. For more information ontact NCCI at 519-273-6435 or toll free at 1-888-714-3666. Love Grandpa & Grandma Pennington & Uncle Mark, Cathy & Jamie good by-play between the cast and the numerous children in the audi- ence as they sought audience partic- ipation. The Wizard o Oz is The Grand's family show for Christmas and no doubt many more youngsters will get their first taste of live theatre before the show closes on Dec. 22. Happy 16t h Birthday Chris Cottrill on Dec. 2 N N. \ r1 Now you'll be wanting the car keys too! Love Grammy & Poppa Lamont 1 The family of t 1 John & Dirkje Wesselink 1 X invites you to an 1 Open House an December 7 1 ,__. 1 2:90 lo 4:00 pm I __, 1 at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church - 11 Best wishes only I *wnvotioRevoicwq# Christmas shopping The Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary hosted a craft show at Memorial Hall this past Saturday afternoon. (Vicky Bremner photo)