“At times wickedly naughty. At other times, enjoyable family-friendly fun fare. This ‘Wizard of Oz’ is worth a visit.”

Even though the iconic ‘Over the Rainbow’ wasn’t sung opening night (a bit schmaltzy, perhaps for a pantomime), I couldn’t help but feel a tad nostalgic about the past when Ross Petty came out to speak to the audience for a few minutes before the performance began.

Petty’s glad that Canadian Stage will continue the panto tradition.

I am too—a thousand thanks to CanStage for the smile it put on my face and those sitting around me.

This Wizard of Oz panto is advertised on the Canadian Stage website with the tagline: “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” A good panto should transport the audience to a place beyond their usual surroundings, making them feel like they are in a different world for the moment.

Cameron Fraser’s remarkable lifelike projection designs immerse the audience in the heart of the action. The story begins on a modern-day farm, and Michael Gianfrancesco’s functional set design, along with Bonnie Beecher’s warm lighting, suggests that the time is likely the beginning of summer. Ming Wong has chosen contemporary, suitable clothing styles for the characters of the twenty-first century. Additionally, for traditionalists, individuals and families can take pictures with Dorothy in her iconic gingham dress, accompanied by her three friends dressed similarly to how they appear in the film.

The script does not specify whether this is the Gale farm, but that’s irrelevant. Thanks to Jennifer Mote’s lively and spirited choreography, we meet a vibrant group of enthusiastic young farmhands—Jordan Bell, Georgia Bennett, Sierra Holder, and Kirstyn Russelle—who show that life on the farm is not just about hard work; it’s also about having fun. These individuals will also become residents of TorOZto. Young Dorothy, played by Julia Pulo, has just graduated high school and feels restless about what her next phase in life will be.

A sudden cyclone sweeps the young Dorothy away to the land of TorOZto, where she meets three of the other farmhands—Eddie Glen, Jonathan Cullen, and Saphire Demitro—who become the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. With the help of her fairy godmother, Plumbum (Dan Chameroy), Dorothy and her new friends work together to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West End, known as Nastina (played by Vanessa Sears), and to reach the Wizard of TorOZto. I’ll keep the identity of the wizard a surprise for now, but I’m sure the word is out. She works and lives in Toronto and is in charge.

The Wizard will grant the wishes of the foursome on one condition - to bring back Nastina’s briefcase.
In Matt Murray's often whacky text, we find all the beloved elements of a traditional pantomime. This time round, Toto, Dorothy’s dog, is a plushie. The audience is encouraged to boo the villain, and the cast frequently bursts into song and dance routines, sometimes featuring current music. The plot is filled with hilarious connections and commentaries that touch on the current political climate as well as social and cultural norms. Revealing too many of these clever references would spoil the enjoyment of this quirky take on Frank L. Baum’s cherished story. However, I’ll share one example: when the four friends find themselves in a crockpot at the end of Act One, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, especially as I love preparing crockpot dinners. I will never look at crockpots the same way again!

Ted Dykstra directs with a devilish sense of innuendo, dual meaning, and double takes especially with much of what Plumbum says or does. Musical Director/Arranger and Orchestrator Mark Camilleri brings a good sense of fun to the selected contemporary songs, effectively balanced by Brian Kenny’s noticed work in balancing the sound between the orchestra (sitting in the boxes stage right) and the singers.

Julia Pulo is a sassy Dorothy right down to her ruby Blundstones which makes her even more appealing. Saphire Demitro’s savvy Cowardly Lion has a terrific musical number that brought appreciative applause from the audience. Eddie Glen’s teddy bear of a Scarecrow made him appealing to the children brought up on stage at the beginning of Act 2. The lanky Jonathan Cullen makes his Tin Man a pleasant reminder of the late Jack Haley.

Vanessa Sears looks great and sounds divinely and wickedly decadent as Nastina, the Wicked Witch of the West End. For some reason, I couldn’t help but compare Sears to a modern-day Serena, Samantha Stephens’ cousin from the classic sitcom ‘Bewitched.’

And Dan Chameroy as beloved ‘Plumbum’.

AAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Chameroy’s first appearance elicited appreciative applause.

As the French say - ‘il me manque.’ Literally meaning, he is missing to me or, in English “I missed him.’

Dan, we need the laughs and your humour right now.

Chameroy is having one hell of a good time as the beloved fairy godmother, and many of the innuendos and double takes are once again worth the price of tickets. The youngsters may not get what he says periodically, but the adults will be rolling in the aisles with laughter.

A cautionary note to parents or adults bringing young children:

Please do your homework on what constitutes a pantomime. I’m not sure if the family behind me was expecting the 1939 "Wizard of Oz" film, but the little girl kept talking loudly to her father for several minutes, which distracted me. I understand that parents want to bring their kids to experience an opening night, but it’s important for them to teach their children proper theatre etiquette. It’s not the theatre's responsibility to do so.

Running time: approximately two hours including one interval/intermission.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ The Panto runs until January 5 at the Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto.

For tickets: canadianstage.com or call 416-368-3110.

A CANADIAN STAGE PRODUCTION in association with the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres present
‘The Wizard of Oz’: The Toto-ly Awesome Family Musical by Matt Murray

Director: Ted Dykstra
Musical Director: Mark Camilleri
Executive Producer Emeritus: Ross Petty
Set Designer: Michael Gianfrancesco
Lighting Designer: Bonnie Beecher
Choreographer: Jennifer Mote
Costume Designer: Ming Wong
Sound Designer: Brian Kenny
Projection Designer: Cameron Fraser

Performers: Dan Chameroy, Jordan Bell, Georgia Bennett, Andrew Broderick, Jonathan Cullen, Saphire Demitro, Eddie Glen, Sierra Holder, Tyler Pearse, Julia Pulo, Kirstyn Russelle, Vanessa Sears.