'The Wizard of Oz' at Theater at TCC - My Review

Theatre at Terryville Congregational Church (TCC) presented its 75th Anniversary production of The Wizard of Oz this weekend. Now in its second year of presenting musicals, the staff has noticed a trend in the shows they have chosen. Director Jonathan Zalaski writes that "so far....it's all about the shoes. Last year's successful production of Cinderella's Glass Slipper "built a strong foundation" for continued success. Both shows posed a few glitches for this fledgling community theater group, but they learned a lot with each one. This marks the fourth time that Mr. Zalaski has braved this demanding show and followed the yellow brick road to an earnest and sweet production.

The show was presented in the sanctuary of the pretty church that was transformed for the various scenes. Terryville HS student Alexandra Belanger was the scenic artist. Gerry Wunsch built the stage, Roberta Layton made and painted the clever curtain as well as handled all the costumes on loan from Phoenix Stage Company, and Rich Sauzedde fine tuned the set and helped make the balloon fly over the heads of the audience in the pews. Kayla Mastracchio, sophomore at CCSU, served as choreographer. Lindsay Bouchard did the hair and Julianna Borg ( a WAMS graduate) did the effective makeup. The Executive in Charge of Production was Alison Reed, who originated the program two years ago. 

This multi-age cast had been practicing for the last three months it showed. The youngest members the impossibly cute ensemble member Danny Schnaars, a first grader in his first show to Roberta Layton, who played a snippy Miss Gulch. Grace Carpenter, a WAMS sixth grade student, was a super Mayor of Munchkinland. Kerri Morris, the mom of the actress who played Dorothy, was a wonderful Auntie Em. Mrs. Morris is a music teacher and has extensive acting credits at Thomaston Opera House and the Warner. Uncle Henry was played by Rev. Zachary Mabe, who is the pastor of this church.

The terrific community theater veteran Lyle Ressler stepped in at the last minute to take on the role of Professor Marvel/Oz. His scary voice from behind the curtain was pretty scary. WAMS sophomore Shelby Griffin was a lovely Glinda with the most amazing face painting. Katharine Cartwright is only in the sixth grade but was a pretty commanding Wicked Witch of the West.

Dorothy's trio was played by three talented teens from Terryville. Jakob Buckley, a Terryville High School sophomore, was a natural as Hunk and the lose-limbed Scarecrow. Andrew Chase just graduated from the high school and did a great job as Hickory and Tin Man. Another graduate was Michael Maslak in the role of Zeke and the Cowardly Lion. He was very funny in his "King of the Forest" and he improvised hilariously when there was a cardboard tree fell over and at a few other points in the show. 

Dorothy (Kennedy Morris) picked up the fallen tree herself; she also lost one of her ruby slippers  (beautifully made by Ben Orlando) during one of the "We're Off to See the Wizard" and simply went back to retrieve it. Perhaps it was a sly reference to last year's Cinderella production? This fifth grader at James Morris School is a pro that is talented beyond her years. She also has extensive credits at Blessed Sacrament School, Seven Angels, Thomaston and the Warner (Young Fiona in Shrek for which she won a Broadway World 2013 Best Younger Actress Award.) Here she was simply perfect in the leading role, from her beautiful "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in black and white to her scary exit by the Winkies in the second act. 

Mr. Zalaski graduated from Terryville HS on Thursday, where he had extensive experience with the Drama Club. He plans to attend CCSU in the fall. The director/music director, who was assisted by Kerri Morris on the musical aspects of the script, was also in charge of the very professional-looking program. The Who's Who section rivaled the Warner Theater publications. There was also an "Oz Survey" asking for constructive feedback. Mine included that they advertise more and consider Seussical for a future production.