Illusion Theater is closing out their 50th anniversary season with the most delightful show,
Minnesota treasure Kevin Kling's Scarecrow on Fire. It's a sequel of sorts to
The Wizard of Oz, presented as a radio play and featuring live music and archival footage from the 1925 silent film version of
The Wizard of Oz (I know, I didn't know that existed either!). Kevin originally wrote this piece for Minnesota Public Ratio, recorded in front of a live audience and broadcast on the airwaves. They've maintained the radio play style for this production, and reunited the original team - actors Simone Perrin, Stephen Yoakam, and Dan Chouinard (who also plays piano and accordion), and musicians Michelle Kinney (cello) and the House of Mercy Band. The mix of all of these artists, with the source material that is so beloved to so many of us, creates something so unique and special. It's funny and silly and charming, but also really heart-warming and even a little profound. It may just bring tears to your eyes as it highlights the beauty and frailty of life. The bad news is it's a short run, with only six performances remaining, two of which are sold out.
So act fast to catch this special event!
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Tin Man (Dan Chouinard), Scarecrow (Kevin Kling), and
Lion (Stephen Yoakam, photo by Lauren B. Photography) |
The events of
Scarecrow on Fire take place after Dorothy and the Wizard have returned to Kansas, leaving Glinda in charge of Oz, and our friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion with new lives. When Scarecrow receives a distress call from Dorothy in Kansas, the trio of friends decides to go to Kansas to help her. They travel separately, using the ruby slippers, and arrive separately, each searching for Dorothy on their own. Lion gets put in a circus, Tin Man a museum, and Scarecrow uses his brain to help a business owner settle his books and root out an embezzler. Turns out Dorothy has found a career on the radio along with the Wizard, so they're able to track her down that way. It's an adventure like
The Wizard of Oz, with a similar lesson of self-discovery and friendship.
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reunited: Tin Man (Dan Chouinard), Scarecrow (Kevin Kling),
Dorothy (Simone Perrin), and Lion (Stephen Yoakam)
(photo by Lauren B. Photography) |
The original MPR production was directed by Peter Rothstein, late of Theater Latte Da, and Illusion's Michael Robins takes the helm here. Kevin Kling is our primary narrator as the Scarecrow, with Stephen Yoakam as the Lion (with some fun vocalizations reminiscent of the movie), Wizard, and others; Dan Chouinard as the Tin Man and Toto (II) and more; and Simone Perrin as a more grown up Dorothy (with a lovely rendition of "Over the Rainbow"). Interspersed with scenes we are treated to songs from the House of Mercy Band (with Michelle Kinney on cello) and it's totally my kind of music - folky, Americana versions of songs from
The Wizard of Oz, traditional songs, maybe even some originals. It just fits the early 20th Century middle America setting of the story so well. During some of the songs clips from the silent film are played, and it's fascinating to see this early characterization of the familiar story.
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House of Mercy Band with the silent film in the background
(photo by Lauren B. Photography) |
This being a radio play, the costumes are not literal, but rather hint at the fantastical characters - Scarecrow in overalls and a plaid jacket, Tin Man in a crisp silver suit, Lion in a camel-colored sweater vest (and multiple hats), Dorothy in a '30s era dress. Similarly, there is no set to speak of, other than what's needed to put on a radio show, including "on air" and "applause" signs, with some subtle lighting changes to set the tone. The only thing that tells this is not an actual radio play is that except for the band, the performers do not have microphones, which only makes the sound better for the live audience. (Costume design by Zamora S., scenic design by Joe Stanley, lighting design by Alice Endo, sound and video design by C. Andrew Meyer.)
L. Frank Baum's stories have entertained us and inspired artists for over a century, up to and including the current
Wicked movie phenomenon. It's such an inspiring story of adventure and heroism and friendship, that the possibilities are endless. I'm glad Kevin Kling wrote this clever, funny, and touching iteration of the story, and that
Illusion brought it back as part of their 50th season.
