Over the rainbow: Strong singers power Metropolis’ charming ‘Wizard of Oz’

“The Wizard of Oz” — 3 stars

If the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre had bestowed a “biggest fan” award on opening night of its “Wizard of Oz” revival, one schoolgirl would have won it hands down.

Wearing double Dutch braids, a blue gingham dress and red-sequined sneakers and carrying a basket with a small, stuffed dog, she posed in front of a Yellow Brick Road backdrop while a woman, her mother perhaps, took photographs. Audience members waiting for the house to open smiled.

Under director/choreographer Tor Campbell, Metropolis’ production of the musical — adapted from L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale and MGM’s 1939 film classic — gave them something to smile about.

Much of the credit belongs to the four likable actors playing the traveling companions, whose journey of self-discovery animates the Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg musical, which includes additional music by Herbert Stothart.

Nora Wragg, a lovely singer whose speaking voice is equally musical, plays Dorothy, the stout-hearted innocent transported with her dog Toto (Cali Spence) to a magical land where she embarks on a quest to go home to Kansas.

At the urging of good witch Glinda (Danielle Spence), she sets off for the Emerald City to ask for assistance from the titular wizard (Gabriel Fries). Along the way she meets a Scarecrow (Nolan F. Robinson II), a Tin Man (David Omari) and a Lion (a comical Jake Elkins), who help her thwart the Wicked Witch of the West (Genevieve Thiers, who possesses a truly impressive cackle), who’s determined to take Dorothy’s ruby slippers.

Strong singers — Wragg, Elkins and Spence in particular — power the production. The cast also includes a robust chorus whose members comprise two trios (cleverly costumed by Theresa Ham as crows and apple trees) who provide backing vocals for “If I Only Had a Brain” and “If I Only Had a Heart.”

Speaking of singing, students from Metropolis’ performing arts school play the Munchkins, who sounded quite good on opening night, although some came across somewhat stiff, apparently concentrating extra hard on blocking and choreography.

Music director/conductor Sharon Mason’s 13-member orchestra (among Metropolis’ largest in recent memory) didn’t fare as well, evidenced by errant notes and a wonky sound, particularly during the overture.

However, Mason’s instrumentalists rebounded in the second act during a pair of hugely entertaining production numbers: the cheeky “Merry Old Land of Oz” featuring Jared Brandt Hoover’s Guard and the swinging “Jitterbug,” a number cut from the film.

In an unusual move, a filmed title sequence listing the cast and creative team opens the show. A nod to Hollywood’s golden era, it’s among several playful references by Campbell, who also alludes to “Cats” and “Wicked.”

Baum’s Oz is whimsically conjured to a large extent by designer Tony Churchill, whose animation-style projections range from blooming flowers and luxuriant poppy fields to foreboding forests, a grand Emerald City skyline and a menacingly robotic Oz, who unnerves the four friends who seek his help.

The design elements — Alyssa Mohn’s set, Sierra Walker’s fluorescent-accented lighting and Forrest Gregor’s sound — are solid, while Theresa Ham’s costumes are excellent. In addition to the luxe, green brocade gowns and waistcoats worn by Emerald City residents and Glinda’s shimmering pink ball gown, Ham’s fanciful creations include sleek leather vests and feathered sleeves for the crows and leafy headdresses for the apple trees. Well done.

As for the pint-sized Dorothy, whose front-row seat placed her within the actors’ sightlines (earning a nod from a certain leonine character), I imagine she responded as enthusiastically to Metropolis’ Yellow Brick Road adventure as her fellow audience members, who rewarded the show with a standing ovation.

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Location: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 9. Also, 2 p.m. July 30; no shows Aug. 8

Running time: About 2 hours, 20 minutes, with intermission

Tickets: $25-$55

Parking: Nearby garage and street parking

Rating: For most audiences, although some scenes may frighten young audience members