The term community theater may bring to mind stale performances of "Guys and Dolls" or "Anything Goes" in dank YMCA basements. But here in Park Slope, the Brooklyn Family Theater is trying to change all that. And their production of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of THE WIZARD OF OZ, using the songs and script from the classic MGM motion picture is a real treat.
Brooklyn Family Theater describes itself as a "neighborhood-based live theater, producing family-appropriate revivals of Broadway musicals at our home in Park Slope, and original one-act plays to travel throughout the Brooklyn community."
What impresses me most about BFT is the way they manage to stage ambitious and engaging productions of shows like Annie, The Wiz, Barnum and Bye Bye Birdie in the small Church at 1012 Eighth Avenue. Clearly, director Phill Greenland deserves kudos for the always inventive and creative sets (there is no set designer credited on the program).
A mix of adult actors and local kids, the cast of The Wizard of Oz infused their roles with energy, humor, and talent. The parts of Dorothy, the Witches, the Wizard, the Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow were all played by professional actors who brought charm and personality to those familiar roles made famous by beloved Hollywood stars.
It would stand to reason that a community theater just a few subway stops from the Great White Way would be able to attract high level talent. And BFT really does have a core cast of teriffic character actors and singers.
The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Lorraine Strobbe Goldbloom, was really nasty and green. Her performance would give Margaret Hamilton a run for her money – it was that good. In the program notes, Goldbloom says that "she is thrilled to be playing a role she was meant to play," and I must concur that she was one helluva WWW. Turns out that Goldboom is the co-founder of BFT and has belped direct many productions there. She teaches drama at BFT and at PS 107 in Park Slope.
But I would have to say that the kids really stole the show. As the munchin members of the Lollypop Guild, Lullaby League, Munchkin Soldiers and politicians, flying monkeys and the Jitterbugs were simply WONDERFUL. And not in a cutsey, child actor kind of way. These kids are cool and they play their hearts out.
The kids in the audience were fun to watch too. One little girl got so scared by one of the forest scenes that she ran into her mother’s arms two rows behind her.
And whenever Glinda appeared on stage in her lovely pink gown, soap bubbles rained down on the audience and the kids stared up at the ceiling trying to catch them.
After the show, my daughter wanted Glinda’s autograph and Shana Hughes was happy oblige because she is, alas, a star this small town of Park Slope.
FYI: Auditions are always open, and BFT produces at least one show per season that includes young performers in the cast. Check their web site for more information on getting involved.
To help raise money for BFT, do you holiday shopping at Park Slope’s Barnes & Noble (7th Ave and 6th Street) on Saturday Nov 5th and Sunday Nov 6th and present this voucher at the register! (Please print this page – vouchers are below.) B&N will donate a portion your purchases to Brookyn Family Theatre!
Playing weekends through November 20th.