Archive: Arts & Entertainment

In an unconventional artistic collaboration, Running to Places (R2P) has partnered with Spirit and Kitsch artist Alice Muhlback to create a story-book 'Wizard of Oz' that transforms the classic show into a true 'over the rainbow' experience. The show runs May 15-17 at the State Theatre of Ithaca.

"Alice's visual aesthetic informs everything in the show, from costumes to set and everything in between,"says Joey Steinhagen, R2P artistic director, "She's also been an amazing mentor to the cast, which is an important aspect of the R2P model. She's even got the Flying Monkeys painting their own wings."

To escape a cruel neighbor who wants to hurt her dog Toto (Kate Wyly), Dorothy (Maddi Carroll) runs away – only to find herself "over the rainbow," in the strange land of Oz. Glinda the Good Witch (Noa Shapiro-Tamir) tells Dorothy that to get home she must enlist the help of the Wizard of Oz (James Harrod). On Dorothy's adventure-filled journey to see the Wizard and escape the Wicked Witch of the West (Rachel Frank), she is aided by the Tin Man (Imri Leshed), the Scarecrow (Kayla Markwardt) and the Cowardly Lion (Emma Ellis).

"It's actually a really funny script," says Steinhagen. "But it's lasted so long and is so beloved because it's serious, too: the story of one child's journey of adventure and discovery about herself."

Plenty of treats await those who've only seen the movie version of The Wizard of Oz, notes Steinhagen, like the Jitterbugs and Winkies. "It's been great fun to explore the ways in which this wonderfully familiar show is at the same time new and fresh and unexpected."

Adds Steinhagen, "What I like best about children's theater is that it doesn't pander or sugarcoat. The gift that theater gives to young audiences is to challenge them to flex their imagination muscles and also to practice getting scared and being brave, like Dorothy does, facing challenges and finding unexpected resources within."

Many in the Wizard of Oz cast have taken their own Dorothy-like journey during the rehearsal process for the show. Because this is R2P's first season with company participation entirely free, the cast includes lots of first-timers as well as seasoned company members.

In addition to Muhlback, the design team includes Lori Schreiber, costumes; Kelly Jackson, choreographer; Deb Drew, sets; and Jeremy Pletter, resident music director. High school senior Sophia Tantillo is again serving as production stage manager.

The show runs one weekend only: May 15-17, Friday and Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 2 PM.

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