Review: The Wizard of Oz at Starlight
Dorothy, the beloved girl from Kansas, and favorite storybook character for my daughters and generations of children, is appearing this week for Starlight's showing of The Wizard of Oz - the Musical. I was thrilled to take my family to the opening night production. As a mom, I always measure the success of a family show on the following:
- Were my kids squirmy / did the show hold their attention? - They sat on the edge of their seats - my six year old especially loves Oz and she was mesmerized! They were captivated.
- Were my kids scared? The stage show knows its audience and it respects them - I believe the play was less scary than the film. My four year old was apprehensive about attending (the witch), so we sat in the middle near the back (hoping distance would help) and had aisle seats for a quick getaway if necessary (turns out, it was not necessary - the witch's appearance was almost comical and not nearly as spooky as the film, making it more palatable for little ones). The story is the same, classic tale, you've come to know and love. Tornadoes, flying monkeys, the "Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz" and an eerily green wicked witch. However, the production keeps these elements appropriate for an elementary school audience.
- Will they remember the show next year? My girls have been enjoying live theater "from day one" (many hot nights spent at Starlight pregnant with each of them, and each attending shows as infants, and every year following) - they remember their favorites and they remember the details. With the captivating sets, magic of Oz, and classic music - this was a winner.
- Did they love it? As a mom, my hope for the evening was a night of fun family-friendly theater my children would adore - and the show delivers! I asked each girl for her opinion and they were as follows: 8 year old - "It was a lot of fun. I don't like the music as much as other shows, but it was still fun." 6 year old, who attended the show in Dorothy costume and most loves Oz - "I loved it. It was so wonderful! Can we go back tomorrow night?" 4 year old - "It was amazing! It wasn't scary and I had SOOOOOOO much fun!"
The Wizard of Oz kicks off a family-friendly season of Broadway shows at Starlight and we were delighted to attend opening night!
The Wizard of Oz
- June 10-15 at 8:30 p.m. Buy Tickets online
- Starlight Theatre. Driving directions to Starlight Theatre and Parking Information for Starlight.
If you're a fan of the film, what will you think of the show? Here's the rundown:
This show introduces NEW music from Andrew Lloyd Weber & Tim Rice along with the classic songs you know and love from the film. Adding explanation and character development to the story, new songs like Dorothy's "Nobody Understands Me" and Professor Marvel's "Wonders of the World" help the viewer understand the thoughts both runaways are battling. "Red Shoes Blues" sung by the Wicked Witch was my favorite of the new songs. For the most part, the new songs are all fine and good, but also easily forgotten. As a purist, I was happy with the original music (ALSO included in this show, no worries, you'll get your "Over the Rainbow" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road"), but the new songs were fine and my kids enjoyed them.
The sets and costumes played homage to the film while entering the 21st century. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the film, so it makes sense that a new production might go for some new styles. Gone is the Wicked Witch's pointy hat, it is replaced with a pointy hairdo. Gone is Glinda's pink dress, it is now a shimmering silver. And the set uses video projection quite a bit to portray the tornado, a vibrant neon rainbow (my favorite feature), and eerie lighting as the Witch's castle is approached. If you can imagine the film with the addition of vibrant projected backdrops in neon colors, flowers glowing under a black light, and 21st century graphics to portray the storm, you get the idea. However, Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion all wore traditional costumes, much to the joy of my daughter in the matching blue checked dress and pigtails.
A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others. ~ The Wizard of Oz
The bottom line: The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved films and children's books of all time. My children were delighted to see the show in person.
Don't Miss the Pre-Show Yellow Brick Road Festival:
My girls always look forward to the Pre-Show events before Starlight's family shows each summer. Prior to Oz, they enjoyed taking photos with Dorothy and the Scarecrow, making a tornado in a bottle, Oz caricatures (this one has a long line, be prepared to wait), playing with LEGO bricks to create Oz, Oz coloring pages, photo ops with props and backgrounds, and craft projects. The earlier you arrive, the more you'll enjoy.
Entry to the "Yellow Brick Road Festival" is included in the cost of a ticket to the show. All events at the festival are FREE!
Tips for Starlight Theatre:
- Keep Hydrated and cool: You may bring 1 sealed bottle of water per guest into the theater. Complimentary water stations are located at the North and East Guest Relations. Water misters are placed throughout the theater for guest convenience. And, Starlight has drinking fountains throughout the theater. You may also want to bring a fan to keep cool.
- Determining if your child should see the show: If you allow them to watch the film, this is less scary than the movie and more vibrant, colorful, and magical thanks to modern technology and projection effects.
- Tips BEFORE the Show: I have my girls (even older girls) nap in the afternoon prior to a Starlight show and I clear our calendar the following morning allowing them to sleep as late as possible (and possibly nap again the next day). The show does start at bedtime. We also pack pajamas in our van to change in the car so sleepy kiddos can be carried directly into bed after.
- Booster seats: A limited supply of complimentary booster seats is available at the Ovation gift store. Please drop your booster seat off at any gate, Guest relations table or return it to the Ovation gift store after the show.
- Preshow Tours: Arrive early and get a free, behind-the-scenes look at Starlight and learn about Starlight’s rich history in Kansas City. Tours begin before each performance at three convenient times: 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Patrons interested in touring Starlight Theatre should report to the top of the theater behind Terrace Section 1 to begin their facility tours.
- Interpreted Performances: Saturday performances at Starlight Theatre are described for the blind and visually impaired by Kansas Audio-Reader Network. Devices for this service are available at the Audio-Reader table behind Terrace Section 2. Sunday performances at Starlight Theatre are interpreted for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Two interpreters are positioned on stage, house right. Patrons can view the interpreters from sections 4 and 6 of the Orchestra and Plaza sections. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons may purchase tickets by calling the Kansas Relay Center at 800.766.3777 or Relay Missouri at 800.735.2966.
- Assisted listening devices: Assisted listening devices are available free of charge for every performance. Visit the Ovation gift store and leave your driver's license in exchange for one of the listening devices. Following the performance, please return the device to the store and pick up your ID.
- Courtesy shuttles: This summer six-passenger shuttles patrol the main parking areas, providing assistance for those who most need it.
- Wheelchair assistance: Wheelchair assistance is available from all gates to the guest's seating location and back to the gate point after the show.
- Emergencies: An EMT is on Starlight premises for all events and can be reached by radio through any of the contacts noted above.
- Preshow Dining: A delicious dinner buffet is offered before the show. Learn more about preshow dining.