The Blog o Bek: July 2016

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO BROADWAY PALM

AS THEY PRESENT “THE WIZARD OF OZ!”

FORT MYERS, Fla – July 8, 2016 – There’s no place like Broadway Palm this summer as The Wizard of Oz lands on the Broadway Palm stage now through August 13, 2016. One of America’s most beloved films comes to life in a musical that will captivate the entire family.

The Wizard of Oz, based on the book by Frank L. Baum and the world famous 1939 film, chronicles the adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Toto, too! Fly over the rainbow with Dorothy as she rides a twister into The Merry Old Land of Oz and learns that no matter how far our journeys take us, there’s no place like home. You’ll hear the songs from the delightful score you know and love such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road , Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.

The Wizard of Oz was directed and choreographed by Amy Marie McCleary. The cast includes Broadway Palm veterans Sarah Cammarata as Dorothy, Victor Legarreta as the Cowardly Lion, Christopher Russell as the Tin Man and making his debut at Broadway Palm is Regan McLellan as the Scarecrow. The cast also features local children and teenagers including Callie Atkinson, Chance Cintron, Isabella Cintron, Avery King, Chloe Lamb, Carson Maschmeier, Jesse Massari, Katie Means, Maddie Negip, Megan Salerno, Sierra Simon, Cody Vagle and Joey Worley.

Follow the yellow brick road to Broadway Palm for The Wizard of Oz playing now through August 13, 2016. Ticket prices range from $39 to $62 with discounts for children and groups of 20 or more. There is a summer special for children 18 and under, tickets are just $20 for the buffet and the show! Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Here is more info on this production!

BROADWAY PALM (AND TOTO, TOO!) LEND A HELPING PAW TO

THE GULF COAST HUMANE SOCIETY!

FORT MYERS, Fla – June 23, 2016 – There’s no place like home so Broadway Palm (and Toto, too!) are partnering this summer to raise funds for the Gulf Coast Humane Society. The Wizard of Oz lands on the Broadway Palm stage from July 7 through August 13, 2016 and during the run, the theatre will be selling paper paw prints for $1 each. The paws will be decorated by cast members and theatre patrons then displayed throughout the theatre. All proceeds from the paw print sales will go directly to the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Gulf Coast Humane Society, located at 2010 Arcadia Street in Fort Myers, was established as the first non-profit animal welfare organization in southwest Florida in 1947. The 501(c)(3) mission is to rescue, provide safe refuge and compassionate care, and find forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in the area. GCHS only takes in owner surrender and transfers from other shelters and rescue groups with a high success rate of adoptions. Their veterinary clinic offers a full array of affordable services six days a week and the low cost, high quality affordable spay/neuter clinic is open four days a week. Both clinics are open to the public.

The Wizard of Oz chronicles the adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Toto, too! Fly over the rainbow with Dorothy as she rides a twister into The Merry Old Land of Oz and learns that no matter how far our journeys take us, there’s no place like home. You’ll hear the songs from the delightful score you know and love such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road , Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.

Follow the yellow brick road to Broadway Palm for The Wizard of Oz playing July 7 through August 13, 2016. Ticket prices range from $20 to $62 with discounts for children and groups of 20 or more. There is a summer special for children 18 and under, tickets are just $20 for the buffet and the show! Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

My review: FIRST of all, let me rant and rave about the behind the scenes elves that make all these productions appear seamless: I need to give MAJOR props to the Wizard of Oz (and most all the other 174 productions at Broadway Palm) costume designer, John P. White.. the man is breathtakingly amazing. And also to Jayar Garcia., Stage Manager who 'wrassels' all of the heavy, incredibly inventive stage settings, walls, on and on for every performance.

To make all of the moving parts work together like putting together a puzzle, to ME is a mind-blowing and never-ending but wonderful end result for those of us in the audience.. GREAT and Fabulous jobs, guys.. many hugs and thanks.

Then there is the Orchestra, Directed and Conducted by Loren Strickland.. who's been there for EVER carrying his 1000 pound book of music for each production. Woodwinds are generated by Gordon Edgerton, Trumpet stylings by Jordan Aquila, Trombone sounds wafted by either George Mancini or Kevin Devitt and finally, the men with the beat: Gary Leone or Tim Capel, depending on what night they are gifting to us.

NOW, let me talk about the AMAZING actors. First of all, my good friend Victor Legarreta (whose wife is in the Off Broadway production at the same time: Last of the red hot lovers.. another wonderful production in itself.. Break legs, girlfriend!).

Vic portrays the Cowardly Lion.. and man o day, I hear Burt Lahr wagging HIS lion tail at Vic from wherever his new stage is.. Vic NAILED it through the whole production as both Zeke AND the Cowardly Lion (not too many lines there, pfft!).

Dorothy Gale is Samantha Cammarata.. yup, also Nailed the original Judy Garlan's Dorothy but with a HELLA better voice! Wowsers!

Uncle Henry and the Oz Gate Keeper Brilliantly portrayed by Dale Given

A new addition to the Prather wonders: Regan McLellan as the Hank and the Scarecrow

Christopher Russell, that great song and dance man WHO TAPS (ya'll Know how much I adore tap and it's throughout the show), incredible voice that just does NOT stop played Hickory and the Tin Man.. awesome costuming and acting and tapping and.. so much more!

Christophers wife is Megan Orlowski.. how fun would it be to have a family of thespians all either in the same show or in the same building? Too fun! She was Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch.. amazing. And a bit scary.

Professor Marvel and the Wizard by another brilliant actor, director, comic and all around great guy, Paul Bernier.. too cool for school.

Toto's fine acting was played by Mickey Alexson.. good boy!

And if ANY production includes Amy Marie McCleary's (Director/Choreographer) fingers, toes and legs in ANY of it.. you've totally got a winner.. and HER husband, Chris McCleary is your resident Sound Manager.. ALL in the wonderful and talented family!!

There are a billion peeps in both the adult and Teen/child Ensembles.. see below..