New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

"Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz" Opens in New Jersey


By Karen Nowosad

originally published: 10/11/2019


Paper Mill Playhouse begins their 2019 – 2020 with a big, new musical. Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz runs through Oct. 27, 2019 on the Millburn stage. This is a New Jersey premiere for this production which features a book by Marc Acito. Musical Adaptation and Additional Music is by David Libby. The show is conceived by Tina Marie Casamento who also does Additonal Lyrics.

It was a packed house on Sunday night, Oct. 6, for the formal Opening Night. Under the Direction of Denis Jones, the musical tells the story of the early years of beloved star Judy Garland when she was Frances Gumm. It begins when she performs with her sisters on vaudeville stages. Known as the Gumm Sisters, the act featured young Frances with the big voice.

Her parents had a difficult marriage. Her mother, Ethel Gumm, was a strict stage mother while her father, Frank Gumm, worked with limited success. However, her father’s love for her was the one constant that was always there for young Frances.

She knew from an early age she wanted to be a star and was willing to work hard. Her “big voice” worked well on the radio as the scenes move to Los Angeles. Sadly her father died when she was just starting to get work in the radio media. Her devotion to him is seen very poignantly throughout the show.

The scene shifts into the Hollywood studios of the 1930’s where beauty reigned supreme. She now went by the name Judy Garland when she meets and befriends Mickey Rooney. But she was badgered and told she was different and weighed too much to be in movies. Scenes of her mother supplying amphetamines to help her loose weight are heartbreaking to watch. Barely entering her teens, she has low self esteem but is still eager to do well.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Eventually, the role of her lifetime comes, that being Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” It is not smooth sailing and the final part of the show focuses on how she is finally accepted as the right person for the role.

The audience cheered and applauded as they enjoyed Orchestrations by Larry Blank and David Libby and Music Direction by Lawrence Yurman. The songs are a biographical look at Judy Garland. What works so well is the way they are woven into the story. Classic Judy Garland favorites such as “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart,” “Dear Mister Gable/You Made Me Love You,” and of course “Over the Rainbow” are included with many other songs from the era.

An exceptionally emotional moment in the show comes after Judy realizes she has won the role of Dorothy and she sings “Over the Rainbow.”The strong connection the lyrics have to her life shines through. If you feel a lump in your throat or some tears gathering in your eyes as you listen, you probably have a lot of company. Ruby Rakos does a phenomenal job all through the show as Judy/Frances but this moment is exceptionally stirring and meaningful.

There are also some very fine dance numbers choreographed by Denis Jones who does double duty on this show as Director/Choreographer. The song in the school, “All Ma’s Children,” is a standout. Sets are well designed and the lighting enhances moods especially in the Hollywood scenes.

The principal cast features Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland/Frances Gumm, Max Von Essen as Frank Gumm, Lesli Margherita as Ethel Gumm, Karen Mason as Ma Lawlor/Kay Koverman, Stephen DeRosa as Louis B. Mayer, Michael Wartella as Mickey Rooney, and Colin Hanlon as Roger Edens.

Rounding out the cast are Tia Altinay, Mackenzie Bell, Kristen Grace Brown, Lamont Brown, and Joe Cassidy. Also in the cast are Clara Cox, Tessa Grady, Sophie Knapp, Molly Lyons, Kimberly Immanuel, Christina Maxwell, and Kevin B. McGlynn. Additional cast includes Allsun O’Malley, Samantha Joy Pearlman, Drew Redington, Joshua J. Schwartz, Parker Slaybaugh, Sean Thompson, Violet Tinnirello and Kathy Voytko.

Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz is a fabulous show where music, singing, and dancing all work together to tell a story. Fans of Judy Garland’s legacy will especially enjoy seeing this show. This is one of those musicals that wows the crowd but carries with it a true story with a lot of heart.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



It runs at the Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week now through Oct. 27, 2109.

To buy tickets, call 973.376.4343, or go to the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.

All photos by Lianne Schoenwiesner – Spotlights Photography


Let's Go to the Theater helps people learn more about about live theater and develop appreciation for this art form. Karen M. Nowosad is the founder of the site. The enjoyment Karen gets from going to the theater is something she wants to share with others.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Paper

Paper Mill Playhouse Announces Cast and Creative Team for "Bull Durham"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the casting and the creative team for Bull Durham, the first production of their 2025-2026 season. The new musical begins performances Thursday, October 2 ahead of a Sunday, October 12 in a run that continues through Sunday, November 2, 2025.



Jersey

Jersey Arts Podcast: Celebrating 20 Seasons of Premiere Stages with Original Play 'The Mallard'

Today we are highlighting Premiere Stages' twentieth season as they introduce their most recent production, "The Mallard," written by Vincent Delaney and directed by John Wooten.



Jersey

Jersey Arts TV: Princeton Summer Theater is Creating a New Take on a Classic Story with 'Frankenstein'

Classic literature is taking the stage with Princeton Summer Theater's production of "Frankenstein". This fresh take on the beloved classic takes the viewers on a journey to the past.



Surflight's

Surflight's Children's Theater presents "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight children's theater has been eagerly waiting to take you down to the Bikini Bottom in The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition. Performances take place July 23-27 & August 13-17, 2025 at 6:00pm each night.



NJ

NJ Rep Presents the World Premiere of "How My Grandparents Fell In Love"

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) presents the world premiere of How My Grandparents Fell in Love, a heartwarming and timely new musical by playwright Cary Gitter and composer Neil Berg, directed by NJ Rep Artistic Director SuzAnne Barabas. The production runs from July 17 through August 10, 2025.