El Mago de Oz (1985)

  • last year
In this minimalist stage version of the MGM film, Dorotea is swept to Oz by an offstage tornado, greeted by Glinda and flowery Munchkins, not played by actors. Glinda looks suspiciously like Mother Ema (not Aunt). A Wicked Witch appears with blacked out teeth who looks like Dona Brujilda, who has been trying to get rid of Dorotea's dog. She meets Espantapajaros (the Scarecrow), Hombre de Hojalata (The Tin Man), and Leon (Lion). Professor Maravilla, dressed like The Wizard in Baum's silent films, but very young, sings "Do you hear me?" in Spanish, to the tune of "The Jitterbug," and when he appears as the Wizard, he is dressed like the Grand Poloni, with an emerald green turban. The Wizard sends them to retrieve the Witch's broomstick. The witch sings about her sleeping potion to the tune of "Just Call Smarmy" from the Disneyland Cowardly Lion of Oz record. A madcap chase ensues with the Witch's hunch-backed servant, Espantapajaros and Hombre de Hojalata French double kiss the witch's cheeks, to her great anger, and as they rest from the chase no one can tell who they are talking to, and so tired, they eventually drink the witch's "agua fresca" and fall asleep.
—Scott Hutchins