The Signal Mountain Playhouse cast of The Wizard of Oz
photo by Sheila Cannon
One of the highlights of my summer is the play on Signal Mountain. Once again, I was blown away by the caliber of the summer production at the Signal Mountain Playhouse. “The Wizard of Oz” is an iconic longtime favorite of many, and performed on a summer evening in a small town under the ancient hemlocks and giant oaks, it was beyond impressive. Looking up at the night sky when the cast pointed up at the witch’s writing in the sky and seeing a full moon and twinkling stars and a stray lightning bug or two, made me pinch myself. It was the perfect setting for this most perfect and creative and entertaining version of this play.
Everyone knows the storyline as much of the script is repeated throughout various generations. “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” and “I’ll get you, my pretty,” being favorites. Marked in emerald green in my calendar since shining star and SMPH icon and Anne Rittenberry advised me to do so, this play had me at Toto. The most beguiling little (real live) dog followed Dorothy on the stage, cocking its head this way and that in the opening scene.
But even if Toto had been a stuffed animal for the duration of the play (a stuffie was Toto’s understudy midway through), the entire cast and crew and set and band and choreography grabbed the audience hard and kept us utterly enchanted for the play’s entirety.
One of my favorite actors, CJ Beiter, nailed her dual role as Auntie Em and Glinda the Good Witch. One of my favorite scenes was her navigating the tornado as wind and rain were depicted with a graceful crew dressed in black and grey whipped dark storm-colored banners around in unison. Auntie Em teetered and tottered and moved sideways and backways so effectively anyone could see she was in the throes of a tornado … all without a single raindrop or industrial fan!
The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Jennifer Sawyer, was chilling with her green pallor and sharp tone and spine curdling cackle! She played her part with a certain intensity that kept the audience on edge the entire time.
Sam Gross was perfect as Dorothy, and even looked a little like Judy Garland, who played her in 1938. Sam’s voice is remarkable no doubt, but one of my favorite parts was during the jitterbug scene (one of the more creative and entertaining adaptations of the play). The curse of the jitterbugs makes it impossible for folks to stop dancing … until they drop dead. Sam, front and center by jitterbug caption Andrew Parker, deadpanned so convincingly as she kicked her legs over and over and over, the look on her face desperate and her eyes wide with fear as she kept on dancing.
The second I saw the un-costumed Maddie Meier sing for the Signal Mountain Library children’s program, I knew she was the scarecrow. This girl has no bones! I flinched as she repeatedly leapt in the air then landed cross-legged on the floor, or moved like Slinky, wagging her head and flailing her arms and legs about.
Justin Forsythe wowed me with his subtle expressions in “The Play’s the Thing,” and he did it again. Watch him. Watch his eyes. One of my favorite parts in the whole play was watching the Tin Man, all oiled up, go from one stiff robotic movement that almost hurt to watch to suddenly slipping in the with the Apple Trees on his quick tippy toes and breaking down on stage.
And speaking of Apple Trees, I loved them. Again, those expressions!
Even without his resonate booming voice, Derrick Raley charmed. The Cowardly Lion played his part perfectly and he played it with great heart.
The choreography was spot on, and I kept wondering how many practices it took for such delightful perfection.
Everyone in this play, the Flying Monkeys, especially the one who grunted a language with perfect intonations, the Crows, the adorable and entertaining Munchkins, the Winkies and on and on … What a treat!
Just when I thought it couldn’t be more over the top, the Wizard of Oz was revealed. Come on! His massive head was impressive enough, but add a moving mouth, waggling eyebrows and dramatic billows of green smoke. Just stop!
All I can say is that I hope you didn’t miss it!
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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series “If Bugs Are Banished.” “Making Arrangements” is her first novel and is available in paperback and on Kindle. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
Ferris Robinson
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