Conner High School's THE WIZARD OF OZ (RSC VERSION)
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Review by Adelaide Linser, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
As a spinning spotlight engulfed the house in a whirlwind of light and color, Conner High School transported audiences into the world of The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version), where magic met mischief, and nothing was ever quite as it seemed.
Adapted from the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz follows Dorothy Gale, a wide-eyed Kansas farm girl who dreams of a life beyond the horizon where dreams become real life. When a cataclysmic storm tears Dorothy away from her home, she finds herself in the wondrous world of Oz, home to witches, Munchkins, and a gaggle of eccentric and colorful characters. As Dorothy sets off down the Yellow Brick Road, she learns that wisdom, courage, and heart often reveal themselves in the most unexpected places.
Conner High School seamlessly struck the balance between the heartfelt themes of friendship and belonging and the ridiculously fantastical spectacle of Oz. The cast and crew created an immersive and electrifying environment that drew a blend of laughs, gasps, and cheers from the audience.
Christina Haynes masterfully brought nuance and depth to the starstruck ingénue, Dorothy. Haynes infused the role with her own thoughtful choices and character work. Her classic transatlantic dialect was polished, precise, and paid subtle homage to the iconic 1939 film adaptation.
Guiding Dorothy through Oz was the captivating Brinley Schrott as Glinda, Good Witch of the North. Schrott brought a comforting, grounded composure to the role of Glinda, skillfully navigating her graceful poise and playful charm with ease. Conversely, Alexa Bellman, as the scheming Wicked Witch of the West, marked her character by a shrill, devilish cackle that rang throughout the house. Together, the two Witches of Oz brilliantly reinforced the production's magical balance of lightness and darkness.
Beyond the stage, the lighting work of Echo Parker, Ace Parker, and Ian Haas elevated the story through a dynamic use of follow-spots and strobe effects during the tornado sequence. The team utilized a tasteful color palette that clearly distinguished the dull tones of Kansas from the vivid brilliance of Oz. Sparkling and twirling under the lights, the costume work of Ava Clifton had the daunting task of differentiating numerous ensembles. From Munchkins to Jitterbugs to Winkies, each costume was carefully chosen to highlight the unique identities of each ensemble, adding to the cohesive visual tone of the production.
From radiant performances to spellbinding tech, Conner High School proved that the greatest magic isn't found in witches and wizards, but in the friendships made along the way.
Review by Alexandra Hess, Campbell County High School Critic Team
In a magical land, far, far away, a young girl walked through a truly extraordinary place... Kansas. Conner High School's production of The Wizard of Oz was a captivating, whimsical tale of lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!
Originally an L. Frank Baum novel, The Wizard of Oz has become one of the most recognizable stories in modern media, inspiring countless adaptations and captivating audiences for decades. Nearly 72 years after the release of Victor Fleming's iconic film, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams premiered their own take on Dorothy's magical adventures in Oz for the Broadway stage.
It is no small task to step into the roles of Oz's classic characters, but the students at Conner High School took on this challenge with avid passion and evident determination. Their dedication to not only honoring the original production but also utilizing their own creativity and ingenuity created a vibrant performance that brought the land over the rainbow to life.
Taking on the part of Dorothy, Christina Haynes fully committed to her character, displaying a wide range of powerful emotions through her skilled expressions and energetic movement. Her understanding of the character shone through bold choices which added a newfound complexity to the well-known girl from the fields of Kansas. In addition to her brilliant performance, Haynes also served as the show's student director, utilizing her extensive background in musical theater to assist in the creative process, demonstrating her apparent passion for this production. Ultimately, Haynes' dedication to this show both on and off the stage was essential to the creation of its final product.
As she wanders along the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy meets three unusual friends. Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion, played by Jasmine Kdep, Samuel Vega Angeles, and Emma Peterson, were simply astounding. Though each actor was sensational on their own, exhibiting their individual aptitudes for detailed characterization, their skills became all the more predominant as a combined unit. Throughout the run of the show, the difference in the physical performances of all three actors was not only distinct but also helped to solidify the particular roles of their characters. Kdep performed powerful acrobatic movements while Vega Angeles tapped the Tinman's non-existent heart out and Peterson walked as the embodiment of the King of the Jungle. Each of the three performed with lively zeal, uniquely distinguishing their characters from one another while creating a cohesive collective that adeptly conquered the extensive demands of the show.
From pre-production to the final curtain, the technical crews at Conner High School worked tirelessly to create the fantastical magical world of Oz. The lighting team (Echo Parker, Ace Parker, and Ian Haas) utilized a multitude of fixtures and gels to create a variety of effects. The progression of color begins the show with a monotone palette and then shifts to brighter, vibrant hues after Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland. The crew's evident understanding of lighting design was also apparent during the tornado scene. Through a combination of moving hand-operated spots and flashing sequences, the auditorium transformed into a chaotic, disorienting environment that immersively recreated the jarring feeling of a twister. In addition to the physical technical elements, the student-led creative decisions of this production were essential to the show. Jasmine Kdep and Christina Haynes, who were responsible for the choreography of 7.5 songs throughout the course of the production, created a combination of movements that accommodated the wide variety of dance-oriented skill within the cast. Their imagination and artistic ingenuity created visually appealing stage pictures and even more impressive combinations.
Overall, Conner High School's production of The Wizard of Oz was wonderfully magical.
Review by Peyton Chase, West Clermont High School Critic Team
A tornado didn't actually sweep through Conner High School's auditorium, but their production of The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) came about as close as you can get, transporting the audience to Oz right alongside Dorothy and her ragtag group.
Based on L. Frank Baum's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this version of The Wizard of Oz features music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg and was adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1987. The show opens with young Dorothy Gale, who fantasizes about escaping her mundane life. When a tornado hits her farm, she and her dog, Toto, are transported to the magical land of Oz. In Oz, Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion, who all join her on a trip to meet with the Wizard of Oz. The Wizard will grant them each their heart's desire, but they must first obtain the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The vocal performances of the cast were impressive, bringing to life some familiar songs from the original movie adaptation of the story, as well as other unique numbers. This added an interesting and fresh layer to the already well-beloved and known story.
Christina Haynes brought the audience along with her on her journey through Oz as Dorothy Gale, embodying each nuance of her character to the fullest, establishing a stalwart, hopeful young girl. Furthermore, her vocals captivated the audience in her signature song, "Over the Rainbow," letting the dreamy, optimistic side of Dorothy shine through in every word.
Jasmine Kdep faithfully interpreted the first member to join Dorothy's entourage, the Scarecrow. She showcased immense dexterity, including acrobatics, drawing gasps from the crowd and bringing a personal touch to the character through her specific talents. Samuel Vega Angeles brought a similar shock factor to the table, displaying a stunning tap dance when his character, the Tinman, was introduced.
One of the most central moments in The Wizard of Oz story is that of the tornado that transports Dorothy to Oz. This scene became a fully immersive experience through the work of Ace Parker, Echo Parker, and Ian Haas as the lighting team. Utilizing a chaotic spotlight pattern and flickering house lights, it felt as if the entire auditorium itself was being picked up and carried off and away with Dorothy in the storm. Back on the stage, Ava Clifton's costumes gave each character, from Dorothy to the Munchkin Mayor, their own personality and story. The Tinman's costume in particular stood out as highly realistic, even being reflective like true metal would be.
Dorothy's journey "Over the Rainbow" into Oz reminded the audience of the importance of friendship and that there's truly "no place like home." With the immersive technical elements and compelling vocalists, Conner High School put together a magical performance of The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) that wonderfully combined the classic story's nostalgia with the personalities and ideas of the cast and crew.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"In the role of the Scarecrow, Jasmine Kdep delivered a solid performance. Kdep had impressive acting skills, keeping a constant hilarious southern accent throughout the show and delivering impressive acrobatic skills. Samuel Vega Angeles provided a strong performance as the Tin Man, with great dance moves and vocals in his rendition of "If I Only Had a Heart." Rounding out the trio, Emma Peterson perfectly portrayed the Cowardly Lion."
-Parker Lawhorn, Harrison High School Critic Team
"The role of Dorothy Gale was played by Christina Haynes, who was also the Student Director and Assistant Choreographer of this production. Haynes' interpretation of Dorothy had the audience wanting more. From the way she was emotional about leaving Kansas due to a tornado, to her being in Munchkinland with all the colorful surroundings, to even making new friends along the way back to Kansas, the audience couldn't help but applaud her for her performance in this role, as well as for what she did for the production overall."
-Joanna Baker, Colerain High School Critic Team
"The costumes by Ava Clifton were incredible. The idea to change Dorothy's gray dress in the beginning to blue really brought the story to life. It helped guide audiences into the Land of Oz and gave a fun, tiny detail for people to look out for. The Munchkins' costumes were all so very unique and detailed, as it gave every ensemble member a story and personality. The audience could easily tell who was playing what role. From the Lollipop Guild to the Lullaby League, the costumes worn by the Munchkins were captivating and colorful—truly a lovely design choice."
-Stella Harvey, West Clermont High School Critic Team
"Overall, the show was spectacular. Throughout the runtime, the audience would laugh at the jokes, then be awestruck by the outstanding lighting effects and sets. The cast was energetic and kept the viewers immersed, and the choreography was synchronized and creative, especially with sequences like Jitterbug and Poppies ."
-Allison Gardineer, Colerain High School Critic Team
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