There are some modern stories that we all know like the back of our hand, including The Wizard of Oz. We can all recall instantly the technicolour magic of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Munchkins, Toto, and everyone else. A young girl’s journey to discover herself and what home means to her, it has a place in all of our hearts. And although not all stories translate well onto the ballet stage, The Wizard of Oz has been perfectly captured with the choreography of Septime Webre and the talent of the company. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz is a heartfelt and spectacular production that cannot be missed!
The Wizard of Oz is quite an interesting production, as it is a co-production between the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Colorado Ballet. I was lucky enough to attend a talk with the choreographer and creator, Septime Webre, RWB Associate Director Tara Birtwhistle, company dancers Jaimi Deleau and Stephan Azulay, and RWB Wardrobe Administrative Coordinator Heather Thorleifson. I think it was quite possibly one of my favourite ballet events that I have been able to attend, as we were able to hear more about exactly how a co-production works.
As none of the three companies are anywhere close together, and Webre is the Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, the end result of the collaboration is even more impressive. Webre workshopped different parts of the ballet with each of the three companies, and then brought it all together for the world premiere for the Kansas City Ballet in September 2018. He worked with a composer to create a unique score, and Liz Vandal designed all of the costumes for the production. (The RWB costume department actually created all of the costumes for the show!) There are so many moving parts in a production like this, and it took over 120 professionals (not including dancers) working for close to three years to bring it to life, and it is certainly worth it.
The Story
Although The Wizard of Oz is quite a recognisable story, in case you haven’t seen it, here is the background story: Dorothy is living a quiet life in the farm in Kansas with her aunt and uncle and best friend Toto. A tornado lifts Dorothy and Toto up into the sky, and they find themselves in Munchkinland, where Dorothy acquires her ruby slippers. She sets off on her journey to find the Wizard of Oz and along the way meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion on the Yellow Brick Road. Upon reaching the Emerald City to find the Wizard, the Wicked Witch of the West finds Dorothy to try and reclaim her slippers. The Witch and her Winged Monkeys capture Dorothy and her friends, but they are able to escape. They make their way to the Wizard to find help on the way home, only to discover that he is a lonely old man. After the entire group realises that they all already have what they are looking for, Dorothy’s ruby slippers take her home!
Why You Need to See It
Without a doubt, you need to see it for the dancers. Alanna McAdie’s Dorothy was perfect- a lighthearted Dorothy who can be brave when she needs to, she shone from start to finish. She danced so beautifully with all of her companions (including Toto and his puppeteer), and no matter who she was dancing with, she melded wonderfully. Elizabeth Lamont is also one of my favourite RWB dancers, and her Glinda (the Good Witch) and Emerald Ballerina were stunning. As Webre noted in the talk about the making of Oz, “she is a beautifully uncomplicated dancer” and these roles truly capitalised on her pure lines and quality of movement.
And as there should be with a production of this magnitude, there are also three very specific reasons that you need to see The Wizard of Oz.
1. The Costumes
The RWB costume department has outdone themselves for this production. Many of the dancers have anywhere from six to eight costume changes, and each costume has a hat to accompany it. As Heather Thorleifson chatted about at the talk, part of the reason that the film version of The Wizard of Oz is so memorable is the technicolour and spectacle of it, not solely the story. The costume department have done everything possible to bring that technicolour magic to the stage, and they have outdone themselves. There are 115 of pairs of dyed pointe shoes in the show, several jewelled tutus, and of course, Dororthy’s ruby slippers. (Those red slippers alone took over 11 hours to make ONE pointe shoe…) And I think most impressively to me- everything works within a busy and complicated set, and even with harnesses for those who fly. (Of course there is flying in The Wizard of Oz!) If I had to pick a favourite costume, it would absolutely have to be the poppies- they are gorgeous from head to toe, and their skirts have the most incredible volume to them.
2. The Music
The composer, Matthew Pierce, has done an amazing job with The Wizard of Oz. He is a violinist composer (rather than using the piano), and I could not love this strings-based score more. He has composed the score for several different ballets, including Alice in Wonderland with creator Webre, and the collaboration has more than paid off. The music is over 450 pages long, and there are three different percussionists who play over 35 different instruments to bring all of the effects to life. Pierce captures the home feeling of the farm, and the disco energy of the Emerald City, and everything in between. What interested me most about the music is that the rehearsal pieces are string based, rather than piano. (Nearly all class and rehearsal work for ballet dancers is done with piano; strings are quite unique.)
3. The Effects
With a story like The Wizard of Oz, you have to go all the way, and they absolutely have. The video projections make you feel like you are falling through the sky yourself. Lighting designer Trad A. Burns has made realistic effects that bring you into the story without being overwhelming in any way. The flying effects are also incredible. Of course, Glinda the Good Witch and Dorothy fly in the show. However, so does the Scarecrow, the Wicked Witch of the West, and her flying monkeys- eight different dancers fly, and at some points, it really does feel like they are coming straight for you! And what would the effects be without our beloved Toto? The puppets in this production are outstanding. Not only are the dancers using the puppets talented at what they do, the puppets themselves are incredible. They are realistic but still otherworldly, and are the perfect touch to this magical story.
Where You Can Find It
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz has five performances, with three remaining for you to catch at the Centennial Concert Hall:
Friday, 3 May 2019- 7:30pm
Saturday, 4 May 2019- 7:30pm
Sunday, 5 May 2019- 2:00pm
With a running time of an 1 hour and 55 minutes, it is perfect for any age to enjoy. The costumes, sets, and music make for a lively and entertaining show, and the heartfelt dancing from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancers pulls you into Dorothy’s journey like no other medium. You absolutely must make time to see The Wizard of Oz, you can get your tickets here!
Are you going to see the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz?
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin’
Will the Royal Winnipeg Ballet bring this production to Ottawa?