Hollywood-Style Wizardry at Work on ‘Oz’

The Orange County Children’s Theatre’s “Wizard of Oz” takes a less-traveled route to the Emerald City, but it’s well worth the trip.

Unlike many stage versions of the story, this “Wizard” uses a script based not on the book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” but on the 1939 film version of the L. Frank Baum story.

John Kane’s script features the original Harold Arlen/E.Y. Harburg tunes from the MGM film, including “The Jitterbug,” the big dance number cut from the movie, and some clever musical transitions that likewise didn’t appear in the film.

Director Jack Millis is so faithful to the movie concept that he’s dressed the opening and closing Kansas scenes in shades of black and white.

This might not sound promising on paper. After all, if you wanted to see the movie, you could stay home in your jammies and watch it instead of schlepping to a theater.

Don’t stay home. With the help of some extremely talented young actors and impressive visuals, Millis makes good use of most people’s intimate familiarity with this film. Knowing the plot so well, the audience can relax and pay more attention to the individual characters. Millis obliges by helping his 8- to 18-year-old cast members develop them fully.

Melinda Koen’s Dorothy sets the standard. Her singing is effortless, and her portrayal of the simple farm girl is as open and warm as a Kansas wheat field. Even a tin man without a heart could love her.

But Koen doesn’t mimic Judy Garland, nor do Dorothy’s pals try to duplicate their film counterparts.

Joel R. South, an accomplished physical comic, stumbles and bumbles with the best of them as the Scarecrow but doesn’t let the pratfalls get in the way of a clean delivery.

John Blaylock gives a gentle but effective portrayal of the Tinman. As an added treat, the script also describes how the Tinman happened to be without a heart. It’s a bizarre little story.

At last Friday’s opening, T.J. Dawson’s Cowardly Lion was an audience favorite. A great bear of a guy, he switches from macho man to quivering puppy in a breath and has an awesome voice in the bargain. Picture Teddy Ruxpin on a bad hair day, throw in equal parts Charlie Brown and Pavarotti, and you get a rough idea.

More irony and sly asides are heard here than in the film, which is generally a plus for older viewers. But there were a few times when Millis let things go too far. The Norma Desmond-ish take on the Wicked Witch of the West that Rebecca Davis gives was very funny at first, but there were times when her vamping was a distraction.

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Kristin Wells was a stunning Glinda--such a dress!--but a little too snippy. Still, the bitchy asides she shares with the Wicked Witch of the West over the ruby slippers are a hoot.

The script turns up other treasures too. The “Jitterbug” number is helped along by Nicki Peek’s crisp and spirited choreography. Flying monkeys are out, but there’s a trio of talking trees (turned out as dance-hall sirens in glittery green lame) and four of the funniest, baddest crows since “Dumbo.”

Toto too? Of course, but in a questionable casting move, the role is played by a young girl. It’s not a glamorous job, but tiny Evonne Sturm handles it gamely and shines in an Emerald City dance number.

Sets and backdrops, credited to Steve Lewis and Jim Blaylock, give a polished look throughout. Tom Phillips’ costumes look and work great, although it would have been nice to see a little more inventiveness. After all, Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.

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* “The Wizard of Oz,” Los Alamitos High School Performing Arts Center, 3591 Cerritos Ave. Friday, 1 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Friday’s matinee is signed for the hearing-impaired. Ends Sunday. $6 to $8; all seats at Friday matinee are $5. (714) 502-2244. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Melinda Koen: Dorothy

Evonne Sturm: Toto

Joel R. South: Hunk/Scarecrow

John Blaylock: Hickory/Tinman

T.J. Dawson: Zeke/Cowardly Lion

Kristin Wells: Auntie Em/Glinda, Good Witch of the North

Justin Perkins: Uncle Henry/Wizard of Oz

Rebecca Davis: Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West

Joshua Perkins: Professor Marvel/Emerald City Guard

An Orange County Children’s Theatre production. Adapted by John Kane from the 1939 MGM motion picture screenplay. Based on the book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” by L. Frank Baum. Music and lyrics (from the film score) by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Additional music by Herbert Stothart. Directed by Jack Millis. Musical direction: Laurie Hancock. Choreography: Nicki Peek. Sets: Steve Lewis and Jim Blaylock. Costumes: Tom Phillips. Lighting: Mitch Atkins.