Review: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a welcome pantomime return

Revived holiday tradition one of the best pantos yet

 What: The Wizard of Oz
Where: Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres, 189 Yonge St.
When: Now, until Sun., Jan. 5
Highlight: Powerful and hilarious re-working of Beyonce’s Texas Hold Em
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Why you should go: Beloved holiday tradition started by Ross Petty and resurrected by Canstage returns with key members of the cast and all of the elements that have made these shows holiday hits for decades.


THE ANNUAL ROSS Petty-produced pantomimes — a loud and laugh-filled British holiday tradition that he imported to the delight of generations of Torontonians — is back after a one-year hiatus. Now produced by Canstage with Petty as a consultant, the latest show, The Wizard of Oz, doesn’t miss a beat, being among the best pantos ever.

Loosely based on the classic story with tons of local references, Oz features all the reliable panto elements, including plenty of double entendres, a strong young lead, the massively-voiced Julia Pulo as Dorothy (who impressed earlier this year as Anne Boleyn in Mirvish’s SIX), as well as two spectacular mainstays from the Petty shows: Don Chamweroy as the delightful drag character and Dorothy’s wise counsel, Plumbum, as well as the droll and often hilarious Eddie Glenn as Scarecrow. The two Panto veterans know exactly how to wring laughs from subtle asides, a wink or deftly rolled eyes and raised eyebrows.

Broadway and Stratford veteran, powerhouse performer Vanessa Sears is perfect as the boo-worthy bad guy, the Wicked Witch of the West — as in Ozzington West — a superb and worthy replacement for Petty, who had performed ne’er do well duties for decades. Sears clearly delights in drawing boos and catcalls from kids and adults eagerly joining in the fun.

Subtitled The Wizard of Ozzington, events take place in Torozto with a fractured version of the classic storyline and plenty of local references in the script and the set design. Mayor Olivia Chow even makes a “cameo” as the menacing video face of the faux Oz, who scares Dorothy and her fellow travellers when they make it to Ozzington.

With hints of a juke box musical, The Wizard of Oz includes plenty of reworkings of recent or classic hit songs, including an exuberant take on Beyonce’s Texas Hold Em.

The Wizard of Oz truly satisfies for all-ages, reliable family fun that’s much more than “good enough” for those desperate to find something to see with their kids. No risk of anyone squirming in their seats a la Nutcracker or fleeing the theatre in tears as a few young members of the audience did at a recent performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The action is nonstop, and so are the jokes. The singing is first-rate, the staging clever, the dancing exhilarating and the cast all strong with some exceptional performances. The Wizard of Oz is a guaranteed holiday season good time.