TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

Ever since Judy Garland first warbled “Over the Rainbow” back in 1939,

“The Wizard of Oz” has been something of a universal epic in the world of

entertainment. Is any story so beloved by audiences from 3 to 93?

Certainly, kids cannot get through grade school without seeing (or

partaking in) the stage version of L. Frank Baum’s literary classic. And

periodic replayings of the movie preserve the story’s popularity for

succeeding generations of Munchkins.

Currently, Costa Mesa’s Trilogy Playhouse is offering a delightful

stage version of “Wizard,” adapted by John Kane, which takes 95% of the

movie script and adds a few chucklers, like talking crows and haughty

trees, whose roots are more female than, as in the movie, male.

Many of the principal roles are double cast, offering more

participation opportunities. Saturday evening’s staging featured a

winning performance from Christy Simonian as Dorothy, while her mother,

Sharon Simonian, was gleefully evil as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Christy’s wide-eyed interpretation conveys both warmth and

determination, and her interaction with her three strange friends on the

road to Oz is splendidly presented. Although she must work with a stuffed

dog as Toto, she avoids any other semblance of artificiality.

Sharon Simonian revels in the pure melodramatic hamminess of her

character, establishing her aura of sheer evil early on, and cackling her

way through a robust performance. Alternating in the roles of Dorothy and

the witch are Jenny Lynn and Suzy Thatcher, respectively.

James Mulligan takes on the part of the Cowardly Lion in all

performances and does so with the flourish of a seasoned vaudevillian.

Mulligan’s mannerisms may recall Bert Lahr in the movie, but he also

endows his character with more subtle, and equally humorous, touches.

Kameron Conners is a suitably rubber-legged Scarecrow, offering

perpetual pratfalls as his loose-limbed character adapts to terra firma.

Tom Moss, who plays most performances, is quite effective as the

heart-seeking Tin Man, whose back story is a bit more involved than his

movie counterpart’s.

In the title role of the Wizard, Douglas Ewen carries off both the

bluster and befuddlement of his double-edged character skillfully. George

Pelham and Mary Theune are believable as Dorothy’s bucolic Uncle Henry

and Aunt Em.

The Trilogy production offers something that will be brand new to kids

familiar only with the movie -- the Jitterbug. Although somewhat

superfluous, and eventually overdone, this number with twinkle-toed

sorcerers is the most skillfully presented one in choreographer Jimmy

Hippenstiel’s repertoire and features Kyle DallaTorre, Cory Kane, Shayne

Lindsey, Gian Magnone, Kelsey Riach and Chris Terergis.

Finally, “Wizard” gives a plethora of youngsters a chance to perform

as various Munchkins, Lullaby Leaguers, Lollypop Guild members, guards,

monkeys and assorted other Ozians. This isn’t a children’s show per se,

but it does offer onstage opportunities to a lot of kids.

“The Wizard of Oz” is one of those timeless classics that’s as

familiar as the Pledge of Allegiance, but still as much fun as a circus.

Follow the yellow brick road to the Trilogy Playhouse.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “The Wizard of Oz”

WHERE: Trilogy Playhouse, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances at 7:30 p.m. today, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

COST: $15 to $17

TICKETS: (714) 957-3347, Ext. 1