KID BEAT : ‘WIZARD’: A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

“The Wizard of Oz in Space,” presented recently at Pacific Palisades Recreation Center by a cast and crew of 60 non-professional children as a benefit for Theater Palisades, was a 90-minute labor of love for some--and for some, pure labor.

It was also a learning experience, a community project, a way of dealing with a tragedy, and an Our Gang comedy come to life.

In this updated version of “Oz,” written by director Paula La Brot, Dorothy, living on prairie planet Aurora, is caught up in a time warp. In the land of Oz she meets a scarecrow droid who lacks central brain chips, a tin atom splitter and Leo, King of the Constellations.

As might be expected in a large group of young novice performers, the unexpected did occur.

A very small Shapekin forgot her line. Several whispered cues failed to do the trick, so, much provoked, a fellow cast member gave her a shove. She retaliated with an indignant push. Another Shapekin leaped to her friend’s defense.

Further pummeling ensued.

Dorothy (Kristina Schelbert) gamely started the scene over.

The curtains closed.

Toto, a tiny girl in a spangled leotard, held her ears when Dorothy sang and pulled the lion’s tail. And there were the enthusiastic set changes--loud bumps and thuds behind closed curtains.

Spanky and Alfalfa would have been right at home.

But, the unexpected was also unexpectedly nice. Chris Murphy as the Tin Man and Scarecrow Chris Kepler gave fine performances, lively and well defined, and a dance of the planets in Earth’s solar system was a lovely interlude.

To “Here Comes the Sun,” slender Casey Craven, draped in orange and yellow, gracefully took center position and the earth revolved around her. Kids in T-shirts bearing the name of each planet, took their positions and all turned slowly.

The Teacher in Space Program was the inspiration and science was very much a part of the proceedings. To prepare for the show, the elementary and junior high school students visited a planetarium and held discussions. (After the show, the cast happily received Air Force and NASA handouts from invited guest Lt. Eric Schnaible of Edwards Air Force BASe.)

The production became a way to mitigate the shock of the shuttle tragedy. The kids are donating part of the proceeds to the children of the Challenger crew.

In the finale, the entire cast gathered on stage and sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The familiar words took on a new poignancy.