Live Review  
The Wizard of Oz

The "American Family Theater" does minmalistic children's production of "The
Wizard of Oz" lasting 1 hour 5 minutes. Even with the sparce set, and despite the
lack of munchkins,it will take you down that "Yellow Brick Road" to a world of
wonder and magic.
     The cast and crew does a superb job of transporting you from Auntie Em's to
The Land of the Munckins, through the poppy feilds to the Emerald City and then the
Wicked Witches Castle with updated and fun songs. The cast of only seven members
performed with such grace and beauty. It was apparent they are truly blessed;
they are doing what they love for a living. How lucky are they? 
   Dorothy, played by Sarah Owens, had a child like innocence and courage with a
golden light for a voice. The Uncle farm hands played by Micheal
Coale,Slim/Scarecrow, Billy Flood, Lionel/Cowardly Lion,
and last but not by any means least Corey Cochran,
Rusty/Tinman, would have made the Origanals feel a little choked up and beam
with pride at their abillty to pay tribute and still make the parts their own.  
   Auntie Em/Glenda the Good Witch played by MaryAnne Piccilo was the strong
farm matron with hands to lovingly scold and tease in the same breath and an
outstanding Glenda bubbly and whimsical.
 The Proffesor/ the Great Oz was played by Matt Tunes both slick as a
salesman/conman  with a quiet persona to suck you into their game.
   Ms. Scragg/The Wicked Witch was played by Sarah Brill and frankly she acted
like a person that is having entirely too much fun doing so! I could feel the
great Mageret Hamilton giggling right along with the us at her cackling laugh
and antics flying on a broom stick.
    The set was well designed for quick change by the actors themselves. 
   A big hats off to the crew, Stage Manager/Lighting Director, Patty Grabb for
use of light to portray emotion, and Soundman/Technical Director, Keith
Monahgan, for clear speech and perfect cues. 
   I look forward to my next Family American Theater show. 

Tom Allen
dallasmusic.com
staff writer