My journey down the yellowbrick road has come to an end. I just finished back to back runs first of the touring Broadway show 'Wicked', and then 'The Wizard of Oz' done by the Couer d'Alene Summer Theater. Here's some things I learned on my trip through Oz.
The idea of touring with a show is fascinating to me; the idea that it's some people's regular employment to move from city to city living in hotels putting on the same show for years on end. The logistics involved in that are mind boggling, and yet even within that there can be some routine. Our music director tours with his dog, and when invited to do something between shows said "Sure, I can do that. I just need to go home (the hotel room) and let the dog out first." One cast member tours with his bike and commutes to work whatever city he is in. In Spokane he was staying with cousins on the south hill - key word "hill"- and the ride home each night was a little work for him. What a great way to experience every city - on a bike!
Wicked tour dates online are scheduled through 2012, but there are planned dates 3 years out, and the long term plan is 10 years out. Wicked will be back in Spokane in a couple years for a months worth of shows instead of 2 weeks. There is a movie in the works. How long could a musician or actor last and stay sane? I'd love to know what the average tenure is of traveling musicians.
As for the Couer d'Alene Wizard of Oz, I can tell you the show went great, and my part was much less demanding, so I got some good reading done. You get to know the pace of the show and learn where the large gaps are. I'll start reading and listen for a certain line, or sometimes I'd even read during a song and listen for a cue in the music that tells me where I am. It was much more relaxed for me than Wicked.
CDA has a couple famous actors who have retired to Couer d'Alene and made the Summer Theater part of what they do. Jack Bannon, Ellen Travolta and her sister Margaret Travolta were all involved in this production, and they do so much to make it a great show. Before opening night, and then during the second week as well, they placed a basket of candy with a card for the musicians down in the pit. Both Jack and Ellen came down to the pit during the run to thank us for our music. They're just good, kind people.
So I thought I had exhausted the tales of Oz now having two perspectives on the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, but it turns out there's lots more I missed. Not only is there a book sequel to Wicked called 'Son of a Witch', but there is another play called 'The Wiz' which starred Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
And lastly, there of course is the Pink Floyd album 'Dark Side of the Moon.' Urban Legend says that this album syncs up with the movie the Wizard of Oz in many ways; side 1 of the vinyl album is the same length as the black and white portion of the film, 'Brain Damage' plays as the scarecrow sings 'If I Only Had a Brain', and the heartbeat at the end of the album plays as Dorothy listens to the Tinman's chest. That's a very short list of the similarities people have found, and it is amazing. I liked watching the Tornado scene while the song Great Gig in the Sky played. I thought the music really lined up with the movie well.
I close by sharing the MTV video about 'The Dark Side of the Moon' and 'The Wizard of Oz' that details more of the similarities between the album and the movie. It looks like I'll have to take another trip to Oz sometime.
