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.
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.
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
