Sparkling Wizard of Oz: A fantasy for all ages/Obviously mentor, not mother

Rep’s Children’s Theater, re-named Rep’s Theater for Young Audiences, premiered “The Wizard of Oz” last week at Onstage. The musical, under the direction of Joy Virata, is based on the book by I. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Jim Eiler.

An incredibly huge assemblage of gifted performers, seasoned artistic and production staffers has worked in close, seamless collaboration to produce fascinating, enchanting entertainment for the young, not-so-young and the permanently young-at-heart.

The story, or fairytale, tells of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is whisked away by a tornado to the land of Oz. She searches for the Wizard of Oz who can bring her back home. Meanwhile, she meets Scarecrow, marvelously portrayed by James Stacey who beguiles the audience with his mechanical movement; Tin Man, the persuasive robot-like Hans Eckstein, and the Cowardly Lion played amusingly by Oliver Usison.

Several other unlikely characters cross Dorothy’s path, among them Liesl Batucan as the beautiful, gracious Glinda the Good Witch; Pinky Marquez who depicts the Wicked Witch to terrifying perfection — she claims she owns Dorothy’s magic shoes and tries to get them so as to destroy Dorothy — the Munchkins, the Emerald City Citizens and the winged monkeys.

Creating a magical, out-of-this-world illusion are the spectacular sets of Lex Marcos, the fantastic, swiftly changing surrealistic light effects of John Batalla and the fabulous, fanciful costumes designed by Raven Ong. The fusion of these three elements takes viewers to a Never Never Land.

The brisk singing under the direction of Onyl Torres, the nimble dancing to the choreography of Jaime del Prado and Nathalie Everett — enhanced by the street dancing and acrobatics of the monkeys — Bobby Superales, Jim Ferrer (acrobat), Deo de la Cruz and Clark de la Riva (acrobat) - heighten audience rapture.

To the foregoing, add the magical touches, among them the Wicked Witch disappearing, leaving only a pile of clothes after Dorothy and the Lion pour a steaming cauldron over her.

With the help of Oz who, after all, turns out to be a mere balloonist, and by clicking her heels three times, Dorothy finds her way back to Kansas, to her aunt Em and Uncle Henry (Natalie Everett and Rem Zamora) and to her dog Toto. What a bewitching journey Dorothy — and the audience — have taken!

The alternate cast follows: Giannina Ocampo and Kyla Rivera, Dorothy; Arnel Carrion, Scarecrow; Nic Campos, Tin Man; Mano Domingo, Lion; Rem Zamora, Wicked Witch; Kyla Rivera, Giannina Ocampo, Good Witch; Ayam Eckstein, Aunt Em.

A magnificent actress with many years of experience behind her, Joy Virata has passed on her expertise to the cast, thus resulting in a highly polished production. Credits also go to artistic director Baby J. Barredo, her associate Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, and executive producer Juno Henares.

Concluding the musicale are a tribute to Joy who, 20 years ago, created Rep’s Children’s Theater, and a reprise of excerpts from several past presentations.

“Wizards of Oz” will cause viewers to momentarily forget the country’s current travails as they revel in the sparkling, riveting fantasy which will run until Dec. 16.

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The title “Mentor, Not Mother” refers to last Saturday’s review of Lorenzo Medel’s piano recital wherein I wrote that Mauricia Borromeo is the mentor of the young pianist. The proofreader changed “mentor” to “mother”. The mistake so disconcerted and embarrassed Ms. Borromeo that she apologized to Lorenzo’s parents.

Sr. Mary Placid, dean of SSC’s department of music, also noticed the egregious error, saying that it had already been read in Ann Arbor, Michigan, presumably the university where Ms. Borromeo studied. Sr. Placid’s disclosure is a left-handed compliment, implying my reviews are that widely read. This should incense Ms. Borromeo even more!

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