Cardinal uses stage magic in 'Wizard'

The Cardinal Stage Company transported audiences somewhere over the rainbow with its presentation of “The Wizard of Oz.”

The musical has been performed at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater since Dec. 21, entertaining packed houses full of the young and young-at-heart.

The play incorporated pyrotechnics, spirited choreography and wire-flying, firsts for Cardinal. Audiences were also delighted when Trixie the dog made her first appearance, or as her character is known, Toto.

“I’m really proud of the show,” Cardinal artistic director Randy White said. “There were a lot of hard-working people involved. The family holiday show we do every year has the most investment, so I hope people had a great theater experience.”

Preparation for the production began six months ago, with rehearsals commencing in November.

The show was open to general auditions, which were met with a large
turnout.

Lauren Bauman, a 13-year-old seventh grader at St. Charles’ Elementary, played the role of the Munchkin coroner. After working for Cardinal before, she decided to try out again for a spot in “The Wizard of Oz.”

“I enjoyed working with Randy and everyone else at Cardinal, so I kept trying out,” she said. Bauman has also starred in Cardinal productions “Annie,” “The Sound of Music” and “A Christmas Carol.”

“I was definitely nervous, but it’s nice and fun because it helps me do better,” she said.
IU B.F.A. musical theater graduate Charnette Batey starred as Dorothy Gale, a girl swept away from her Kansas farm home by a tornado.

Batey said the hardest part was filling the ruby slippers so associated with Judy Garland’s famed portrayal of Dorothy in the 1939 film adaptation of the L. Frank Baum novel.

“I think everyone thinks of Judy Garland when they think of ‘Wizard of Oz,’ so it’s intimidating to fill those shoes,” Batey said. “The hardest and the best part was that I got to bring myself into the role and make it my own Dorothy, which I’m proud of.”
“The Wizard of Oz” cast will stage its last performances Friday and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.

White hopes that the large turnout for the “Wizard of Oz” acts as an ambassador performance for future Cardinal Stage Company productions.

“The turnout for the family holiday show gets the word out, and we hope people will come back and bring their families,” White said. “There’s nothing like seeing kids and families watch a performance with kids dancing and singing. It’s great to watch.”