The beloved tale of Dorothy and Toto gets a theatrical retelling at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
“The Wizard of Oz” runs Feb. 19-March 6, unfurling the adventures of Kansas farm girl Dorothy after she runs away when her dog, Toto, is threatened.
Based on the timeless 1939 motion picture starring Judy Garland, the stage production features Porter County Council President Dan Whitten in the role of the Wizard of Oz.
There is plenty of bluster to the Wizard character.
“The Wizard is all smoke and mirrors, for lack of a better term,” said Whitten, a 49-year-old resident of the Boone Grove area. “It’s a fun character to play.”
Whitten has a dual role because he also plays Professor Marvel, the earthbound incarnation of the Wizard who Dorothy comes across before being transported to Oz.
“He’s a compassionate guy, but he’s clearly a flimflammer,” Whitten said.
Wizard/Professor Marvel is just one of the colorful entities among a host of vibrant characters that will hit the stage for a musical that is enlisting the services of a small orchestra.
There are more than 30 people in the cast, and a dog, according to director Michael Glorioso of Valparaiso.
Glorioso said children comprise half of a cast that will take the audience on a breezy journey to the Emerald City, via an accessible production.
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“We want to make it very family-friendly,” Glorioso, 34, said.”We’re trying to keep it very light.”
Although the overall presentation has a smooth sheen, Glorioso related there are darker undertones to the Wicked Witch of the West.
Additionally, there is a push by the Memorial Opera House troupe to give the cherished story its distinctive stamp.
“We have this huge projection screen; we have some painted panels on stage,” said Glorioso, also pointing to his company’s use of elaborate backdrops.
The Valparaiso company is likewise giving its version a new take by including “The Jitterbug” dance number that was left out of the Judy Garland film of more than 75 years ago. According to Turner Classic Movies, the actual footage of the deleted scene no longer exists.
In preparation for his directorial duties, Glorioso reviewed the visuals from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” — the literary effort that launched the “Oz” franchise. “I looked a lot at the original artwork,” the director said.
Whitten, meanwhile, will go to work as the Wizard in a fantasy tale that is very enticing to him. “It’s a wonderful story,” Whitten said. “I love the book. I love the movie.”
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
‘The Wizard of Oz’
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso
When: Feb. 19-March 6: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Tickets: Adults $21; students and senior citizens (59 and older) $18; VIP seating $50
Information: 219-548-9137; www.memorialoperahouse.com