"Wizard of Oz" comes alive at new theater (Posted 7/6/2010 12:38 pm)
By Paul Gnadt

Another Alvarado Star exclusive

Anyone with a brain will understand, it took heart and courage for the Carnegie Players to open their new theater with the challenging production of “The Wizard of Oz,” but they pull it off in spectacular fashion with clever costumes, creative sets and Carnegie’s trademark of outstanding directing, singing, acting and dancing.

And the new theater gets some credit, too. After 30 years and more than 700 performances of 101 different productions  on the Carnegie stage upstairs at the 120-seat Layland Museum, the Carnegie Players have moved in their new state-of-the-art theater at the Cleburne Conference Center. The stage is wide and deep, the sound system is outstanding, and the 299 audience seats are wide with plenty of leg room.

It doesn’t make any difference how many times you’ve seen the movie, this is the best stage adaptation you will ever see.

Painstakingly and expertly directed by Kate Hicks, Wizard moves quickly through its two acts and 11 scenes.

Watch the background movements of the three trees, the crows and especially the antics of Toto, played by fifth-grader Kayden Moore, whose knees must by black and blue as she crawls all over the stage and ends up just where a faithful companion should be.

This is one production where the work behind the scenes matches the effort of the 39 performers on stage named in the playbill. Scenic artist Mayre Stewart and assistants Maureen Benke, Julie Lee and Loose and seamstresses Judy Graves and Eileen Duggan had to work hours on the costumes.

And if there ever was anyone perfectly cast for a role, it’s Dolbier in the dual roles of Professor Marvel and the Wizard. Smooth, commanding, suave and with a booming voice, he looks exactly like a huckster from Omaha, Neb.    

The Wizard of Oz will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in  the new Cleburne Civic Theater at the Cleburne Conference Center. The center is at 1501 W. Henderson in Cleburne.

Tickets are $12 for adults, and $8 for seniors residents and students. They are on sale at the Cleburne Conference Center or by calling 817-645-9255.