Through December 15, 2024, Live Arts Theater invites audience members to follow the yellow brick road with a focus on Dorothy Gale and the Professor.
“The Wizard of Oz,” directed by John Gibson, features the famous musical score of the 1939 film which helped actress Judy Garland earn fame in Hollywood.
“We have an entirely different view of Oz through a different lens,” said Christiana Mitchell, who portrays the Scarecrow in the production.
Mitchell said the experience has been completely different also for her as an actor.
“I get to be a wiggly, fun noodle on stage,” she said. “It’s been a big joy.”
Live Arts‘ production focuses on the battle each character in Oz is facing. Audience members will also see a second character as “Ghost Dorothy,” who appears before the curtain rises. Mitchell said her interpretation of the character is that she embodies the joy of “Dorothy.”
“Yeah, we can do this. We can tell this story one more time,” Mitchell said of the character’s demeanor. She appears again when the door to Oz is opened by “Dorothy.”
According to Mitchell, who also teaches at Live Arts, the film version of “Wicked” coming to theaters as Live Arts presented “The Wizard of Oz” was purely coincidental. Mitchell said she loves the 1939 film, which was her grandmother’s favorite. And her sister read “Wicked” to her when she was a child.
“I used the whole universe or world of Oz to bond with my family,” Mitchell said.
Audiences have previously seen Mitchell perform in Live Arts productions of “Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” “Uncle Vanya” and “You Don’t Know Jackshit About the Mothman.” Bringing the Scarecrow to the stage is a departure for Mitchell as a dramatic actor, but an opportunity she enjoys.
“Each role that I am in, I learn a lot about myself and my co-stars, and it’s great,” she said.
As Oz’s Scarecrow, Mitchell said she has gone deep and discovered that even when at her lowest, just showing up for life is important. The Scarecrow has also taught her to accept herself.
“I hope that they take with them a lot of the whimsicalness that we share on stage,” Mitchell said of what she hopes audience members take from seeing the show. “The understanding that they are also part of the story of us.”
Mitchell said that in different productions she has been in she has been able to see a part of her own life, and she hopes audience members see their lives in “The Wizard of Oz.”
“Everybody’s life has a story, and everybody’s story can be told.”
“The Wizard of Oz” with the Munchkins, a tornado and a wizard is not so otherworldly.
“And there’s always a possibility for anything and everything,” Mitchell said.
Live Arts Theater is at 123 E. Water Street, Charlottesville. Tickets are available online.
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Rebecca Barnabi
