Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Neville Dallen (Tinman) (left), and Danielle Stiebel (Dorothy) in a scene from the Jamaica Music Theatre Company's (JMTC's) 'The Wiz'. The production is Frank L. Baum's take of the famed tale 'The Wizard of Oz'. The production is currently running at the University of the West Indies at the Philip Sherlock Centre. - CONTRIBUTED
SOMEWHERE OVER the rainbow, or rather on the University of the West Indies, Mona campus at the Philip Sherlock Centre, Dorothy and her friends are finding their path down the yellow brick road. The Jamaica Music Theatre Company (JMTC) has finally got the chance to stage their summer 2005 production The Wiz, beginning last Friday, July 23.
The musical was first blown off course by the wicked wind of the west, Hurricane Dennis. After gathering their munchkins together, the play was again delayed with the huffy-puffy threats of Hurricane Emily.
The production, Frank L. Baum's take of the famed tale The Wizard of Oz, was finally staged last week. This version is filled with several modern cultural references such as urban renewal, shrinks and bleaching cream. The characters have also been largely revised to reflect African American characteristics, (mainly through the language) and their traits also suggest some contemporary idiosyncrasies. So the cowardly Lion (Rory Frankson) is a little on the metrosexual side and also has a mama's boy complex, and the Wiz looks like a disco inspired pimp with an emerald green suit, shiny blue green hair, green boots and a flowing green cape lined with red.
ENJOYABLE SKIP
The JMTC's rendition was an enjoyable skip down the yellow brick road filled with good music, commendable performances and interesting costumes. Peter Ashbourne was the production's musical director, a role he has filled numerous times for the JMTC, while Lyndel Bailey was the group's voice coach.
The music is engaging and enjoyable but the voices generally lack the strength to maximise the song's potential. Even choral pieces with the entire cast do not swell to fill the entire room the way they should. There were a few voices, however, that stood out.
AUDREY HEPBURN-LIKE FEATURES
On Friday night, the leads were played by Sakina Deer (Dorothy), Lawrence Woodham (Scarecrow), Rory Frankson (Lion), Charles Moore (Tinman), Maurice Bryan (The Wiz), Dana Astwood (Addaperle), and Carolyn Allen (Evilene).
Sakina Deer seemed a perfect choice for Dorothy. Her delicate, Audrey Hepburn-like features allows her to be the picture of innocence beautifully complemented by her voice. However, she was one of those whose voice was not strong enough to take the music to its full otential.
DEPENDENT ON AMPLIFICATION
The JMTC has become highly dependent on amplification, with the use of body mics and the like. However, as with Friday's performance, this dependence can quite dampen the calibre of the show as too many members of the cast could clearly not project.
The difference was quite evident with Charles Moore, Maurice Bryan, Carolyn Allen and a few others. Bryan was quite enigmatic as the Wiz. He is able to be dramatic without going over the top, showing great range and control.
Danah Astwood made a delightfully feather-brained Addaperle and Lawrence Woodham created an engaging, witty Scarecrow. Remarkably, Moore was well-suited to the role as Tinman. The restrictions of the character allowed him to show his dramatic potential without any exaggeration.
To create this tale of finding the self-set in a world of fantasy, The Wiz depended heavily on costumes (designed by Carolyn Chin Yee), and make-up (Greg Thames). While the costumes were interestingly conceived, their construction could have used some wizardry. Make-up, however, was right on the mark.
