by Austin Siegemund-Broka
From the smallest munchkin to the wickedest witch, every character plays a starring role in the Mira Costa drama department’s production of The Wiz.
Most are familiar with the show’s iconic foursome — Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. But cast members agreed that the emotion and enthusiasm in roles of all sizes give the show life.
“If you look at any of these characters, even the ones in the ensemble where the audience never knows their names, every one of them is bringing a lot to the stage,” said senior Ben Silva, who plays the Scarecrow. “It’s Oz; every one of these people is so freaky you could have a whole musical just about each of them.”
Tomorrow night’s opening will be the first time in 11 years that Costa has presented The Wiz. Seniors Silva, Tyler Duncan and Spencer Ellman play the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, respectively, while junior Kelianne Safarik plays a show-stopping Dorothy.
Bringing the world of Oz to Costa’s stage required cast members to step into a new style: soul. After wowing audiences with the Disney spectacular Beauty and the Beast in 2007 and the Gershwin tap classic Crazy for You in 2008, the department decided to change its act with the funky flavor of a ‘70s-style soul musical.
“It’s a lot less traditional Broadway,” Silva said. “This is soul music. This is music you’re going to want to dance to. It feels a lot more modern and looser.”
Cast members acknowledged the difficulty of performing a musical style intended for and often performed by an all-black cast. While the drama department includes students of all ethnicities, the cast believes it will remain true to the show’s intended feel.
“It isn’t classified as a black musical,” Duncan said. “It’s a soul musical. It’s really what you feel through the characters.”
“We thought we were really going to have to step it up with the funk and the attitude and the soul, and I think we’ve done that,” Safarik said.
The show’s score is played by the Mira Costa Orchestra, with songs including “Ease on Down the Road,” “I Was Born the Day Before Yesterday” and “Be A Lion.”
The blend of Motown jazz, hip-hop and soul music with dynamic choreography turn the performance into a fun, finger-snapping concoction.
“The most difficult thing about this show is bringing the 70’s back to life,” said pit orchestra director Mark McCormick. “Since this is modeled after the Motown experience, what we are is very different from a traditional orchestra. What we are is like a rhythm section — a studio orchestra which is complemented by singers and strings.”
The pit orchestra is composed of 33 Costa musicians, and features disco-style synthesizers and nine “pit singers” who provide the soulful backup vocals. To match the orchestra’s funky music, choreographer Alan Collins has infused the show’s classic jazz choreography with more modern dance styles.
“We’re going to have some of that classic funk, but [Collins] has been telling us we’re going to add some elements of hip-hop, which is kind of a contemporary, new way of doing the show,” Ellman said.
Cast members said that the music and choreography really serve to bring out the show’s centerpiece: dynamic, multi-sided characters, who bring out the show’s real spirit and set it apart from other Costa shows.
“What distinguishes this musical from Costa’s past musicals is that it’s not just singing,” Duncan said. “You really feel for everyone on stage, their story and their sorrow.”
“The songs are definitely an extension of the characters,” said junior Oriana Inferrera, who will play Glinda the Good Witch . “You’re really looking into their head at the moment.”
The show carries special significance for some cast members, who said they see the show’s themes reflected in their lives and upcoming graduation.
“Know your roots,” said senior Sarah Mitchell, who will play Addaperle the Good Witch. “That’s something valid and significant for the seniors, that whole concept of home.”
The Wiz opens tomorrow night, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. and continues on April 17, 22, 23 and 24 in the Mira Costa Auditorium. Matinee shows will be held at 2 p.m. on April 18 and 24.
“We have amazing actors and amazing vocalists and amazing dancers, and I can feel the blend of everyone coming together,” Duncan said. “It’s going to be really great.” ER
