Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland, Michael Wartella as Mickey Rooney, and Berklea Going as Lana Turner in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz. Photos by Diane Sobolewski.
by Mark G. Auerbach
Many impressive visitors have walked The Yellow Brick Road to Oz and Broadway from The Wiz to Wicked. The Wizard of Oz’s fabled movie’s star Judy Garland has been a character in The Boy From Oz to End of The Rainbow. Goodspeed Musicals’ new musical, Chasing Rainbows: The Road To Oz tells the story of Judy Garland before she became the international legend in movies like A Star is Born, Meet Me in St. Louis, and in concert.
Conceived by Tina Marie Casamento Libby, with book by Marc Acito, and period music adapted by David Libby, Chasing Rainbows tells about Garland’s early days appearing in vaudeville as a family act, before being discovered by MGM as a teen, and paired in two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney, before playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz as age 19. In Acito’s script, a conception of Tina Marie Casamento Libby, Garland is portrayed as the girl-next-door with the big voice, captivating and ready for stardom. There are also hints of the Garland-to-be, with the low self-esteem and the victim of studio manipulation, where she’s given diet pills to slenderize her and energy pills to keep her on her toes.
Acito’s book is solid, and the period music adapted by David Libby, beautifully orchestrated by Dan DeLange, uses some period music to great effect, from the expected “Over The Rainbow” to an unexpected version of “If I Only Had A Brain”. Michael O’Flaherty’s music direction is terrific, and some of the old chestnuts sound vibrantly fresh. Tyne Rafeali’s staging is fast-paced, and Chris Bailey’s choreography.just swings with style, particularly in the first act’s “All Ma’s Children”.and the second act’s rousing “Swing Mister Mendelssohn”.
Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland and Michael Wartella as Mickey Rooney in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz. Photos by Diane Sobolewski.
Ruby Rakos is an astounding Judy Garland, with a huge voice. Ella Briggs was delightful as a very young Garland. The cast is a mix of veterans, like Karen Mason as L.B. Mayer’s secretary, and Michael McCormack as Mayer;and some up-and-coming talents like Kevin Earley as Garland’s father, a troubled man who turns the song “Chasing Rainbows” into one of the show’s several tour de force moments. I liked all of the performances and the smooth moves of the ensemble.
Michael Wartella, as Mickey Rooney, gave one of the best musical theatre performances I’ve seen this year. He’s a nimble dancer, smooth singer, and total charm. He’s also a Western Massachusetts guy who learned his craft in area theatres, which made his first class performance even more special to watch.
Kristen Robinson’s sets are simple, and they slide about the tiny Goodspeed stage effortlessly. Elizabeth Caitlin Ward’s costumes shine, and Ken Billington’s lighting was great.
Goodspeed Musicals and the creators of Chasing Rainbows have high hopes that this production will move on to other theatres, with Broadway in sight. It has a future, especially if Ruby Rakos, Michael Wartella, and Kevin Earley stay with the production. Those three could keep the lights of Broadway shining brightly for a long time.
***
Claire Griffin, Ella Briggs, Kevin Earley, and Piper Birney as The Gumm Family in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz. Photos by Diane Sobolewski.
Goodspeed Musicals presents Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz. Book by Marc Acito. Conceived by Tina Marie Casamento Libby. Music Adapted by David Libby.. Directed by Tyne Rafaeli. Musical direction by Michael O’Flaherty. Choreography by Chris Bailey. Scenic design by Kristen Robinson Costume design by Elizabeth Caitlin Ward. Lighting design by Ken Billington. Sound design by Jay Hilton. Projections by Daniel Brodie. Orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Through November 27.. Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT. For tickets: 860-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org.
—
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
