The Pomerado Newspaper recently chatted with Chas Shay, director of CYT SD’s The Wizard of Oz. The production is double cast- more than 60 students will be on stage, as well as behind the scenes. According to the article, Shay, “instructed his young actors to stay away from the classic 1939 film because he wanted them to interpret the characters in their own ways.”
Here are some snippets from the interview:
“’We want to encourage the students to bring their own talent to create their own characters and to bring to life the script, which is taken from the MGM movie and the Frank L. Baum books,’ Shay said, adding that while a lot of the familiar elements will be there, the take will also be some differences.’
Case in point, he said, was the performance of one of the actors who is portraying the Cowardly Lion. When he auditioned, Shay said, the teen did a good job of mimicking Bert Lahr’s performance in the 1939 film. But when Shay suggested he try to give the character a Scottish accent, the student was able to get away from the mimicry.
Other changes are also being made to make “The Wizard of Oz” more modern. For example, though she will be painted green, the actress playing the wicked witch will not rely on prostheses.
‘We want to get away from the idea that evil is ugly and that beauty is good,’ Shay said.”
For the article in its entirety, click here.
