Wizard Of Oz Reinvented

The red shoes, the tin man, sweet evocations of childhood escape that easily translate into adult anxieties; “Wizard of Oz” has taken on mythic proportions in the collective psyche. Belvoir Theatre’s co-resident director Adena Jacobs is exploring the undercurrents of the book and film adaptation in her wild and unexpected take on Oz. A.M Baum’s 1939 work was ostensibly a story for children, but a closer look reveals hints of creepiness and confusion.  Jacob’s “dreamscape” Oz is where the collective psyche understands the tropes of the collective imagination to bring audiences somewhere else and perhaps far from the fabled yellow brick road.

Jacobs’ “Oz” relies more on Baum’s novel for text, but looks to the film for source material. “It’s a jumping-off point,” explains Jacobs. “We look to both sources as inspiration.” Working with

Fragmented and non-linear, the work is an intense collaboration between the design team and actors, including Paul Capsis. “This is a really amazing team, of set, lighting and costumes. The actors work hard and are co-authors of the piece as well,” says Jacobs. She credits Ralph Myers (set designer), Kate Davis (costume designer) and Emma Valente (lighting designer) to create the unusual and piercing “visual magic.”

Jacobs says that “Oz” is a story “about identity and journey,” comparing Dorothy’s quest to other much-examined heroes from the Greeks to Shakespeare.  “It’s a cultural and mythical story. It’s about identity and journey.” Dorothy’s time in Oz is portrayed as dreamy, beautiful, strange and at times violent.

Given that everyone knows Dorothy as an icon, heroine and innocent, it will be interesting to see her re-imagined at the Belvoir.

“It will be an immersive experience. I am really curious about what will happen with audiences,” says Jacobs.

Note: This is a show for adults. (OA)