OHS Theatre Presents Wicked Rendition of ‘The Wizard of Oz’

By Carson McKinney
Hottytoddy.com Intern

Oxford High School Theatre revived a wicked rendition of “The Wizard of Oz” for audiences this Halloween season.

“The Wizard of Oz” opened Monday, Oct. 29 at Oxford Middle School’s Kayla Mize Auditorium and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 31.

According to OHS Senior Noël Torma, who plays lead role Dorothy, audiences expecting the vibrant colors or “happy-go-lucky” vibe of the classic 1939 MGM adaptation will be in for a shock.

“It’s definitely something different from the usual,” Torma said. “It takes place in a psychiatric hospital. We don’t have Toto or a bunch of other iconic stuff. It’s a lot creepier, a lot more twisted and a lot more fun.”

Torma has three years of drama experience with the OHS theatre department and has played roles such as Thomas Jefferson, in an all-female production of “1776,” and Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof.” With help from her close-knit family and supportive friends, she envisions a bright future in drama.

“I see myself going anywhere in the world, as long as I can be a part of something in theatre,” Torma said. “This has been so inspiring; not just being Dorothy, but everything has been leading me on the right track to what I feel is what can make me happy.”

Theatre Director John Davenport, who has led the theatre program for 18 years, first debuted this rendition of “The Wizard of Oz” in 2014 at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Although his script follows the original play, this year’s rendition accompanies visuals and music that add new dimensions to the classic story.

“This particular script that we have works well with this concept,” Davenport said. “It’s just a matter of how you say the lines. The script isn’t necessarily written with this concept; it’s just how we interpret the lines. We’re on Dorothy’s journey of course but in this production we’re looking at it through the eyes of Dorothy, which is why everything looks the way it does. It’s how she sees this particular world and this particular facility.”

According to Davenport, this heavier, darker and scarier adaptation might be inappropriate for children under ten and “Oz” purists.

“If you have an affinity towards the traditional ‘Wizard of Oz,’ this will crush your dreams,” Davenport said. “Don’t take a chance.”

Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. and will run through Wednesday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $11. 

For more information on Oxford High School’s theatre department, visit their Facebook page.