WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ KICKS OFF WITH DOROTHY, HER RUBY RED SLIPPERS, GREAT MUSICAL PLAY AND GREAT CAST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — “How’s them apples?”

Dorothy does it again. From the big screen to the little stage the Wizard of Oz is magic.

And last night’s opening night presentation of the loveable classic at the Rene Caisse Theatre was both magical and imaginable.

Click your heels and clap your hands for Theatre Muskoka and the Bracebridge Rotary’s Club’s latest fantastical warm, winter offering.

Suspended belief in the most wondrous way.

We’re taken on a fun romp down the yellow brick with the colourful cast of singers, dancers and character who make the long almost three-hour play enjoyable for the whole family.

Click your heels and clap your hands for Theatre Muskoka and the Bracebridge Rotary Club’s production of Dorother and the Wizard of Oz. PHOTO Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

Whether you saw the 1939 original movie version of in a movie theatre, on TV or many times by community theatre groups like this it’s always a pleasure to revel in the musical mystery and mischief.

This production is particularly fine as a testament to greatness.

Teegan Keevil-Dechene’s beautiful voice begins us on a journey down memory lane with her haunting opening version of Under the Rainbow.

Tagging along are her great co-stars Arya Foran as her “first friend” Scarecrow Hollace Marks as a not so hollow Tinman.

And Sam Beattie the especially strong Cowardly Lion who shone in her late show solo of “If I Were a King” all the while adding endearing comic relief.

The full cast was up to the Wizard’s reputation, including a gorgeously-dressed Good Witch Glenda (Aunt Emma) Yvonne Higgins; Emerald City Guard (Uncle Henry) Ken McKenzie; and the always superb Allen Hutchings as “The Great Oz” (Professor Chester Marvel).

And the Wicked Witch of the West Maria Cockburn will have you booing her.

But the real stars were the darling little ruffy pooches playing Toto, who came on stage and left almost always on que.

While calmly and patiently waiting through well-choreographed and lavish song and dance numbers by the ensemble chorus and cast.

You also just have to see “The Great Oz’s” beatty red eyes staring out from behind a green curtain.

Oz is another spectacular family-friendly and thoroughly enjoyable local take that’s worth catching this weekend (tonight, tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon; and next weekend Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Go to www.theatremuskoka.ca for the $35 adult tickets.

Rotary exchange students Owen Covert, 15, of Gravenhurst, who is headed to Chili in the fall, and Nora Galland, 18, from Norway, loved the show. It her first introduction to the “The Great Oz.”

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