Pittsfield — In the most unassuming of rehearsal spaces, over staccato bursts from an electric drill, Christine O’Grady is facilitating an impactful and ongoing conversation about inclusion and equality among her 13 member “rainbow colored cast” of THE WIZ, that opened at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield on Wednesday (July 27). O’Grady, in her 10th season as director and choreographer of Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre, encourages the young actors under her tutelage to see the correlation between risk taking and growth, both as artists and as individuals; “If you are in your comfort zone, you are not growing” she reminds the young, local and diverse group of students assembled before her.
Brianna Nicola, in her third season with the Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre, was belting out tunes on a recent Thursday afternoon, while cooled by A/C, was otherwise pulsing with talent. Nicola, a rising tenth grader at Pittsfield High School, took “No Bad News” from the start and arrived on stage riding atop an industrial laundry cart, clad in Beyoncé style lace-up wedge sandals, and sporting a stage presence comparable to the pop star. The beautifully diverse cast, ranging in age from 13-19 years old and hailing from both Berkshire and Hampden Counties, is bringing an important conversation to the proverbial table. THE WIZ, often considered the black Wizard of Oz, has allowed for, “so many conversations about the ways in which [these kids] are put into boxes in terms of their race and the way they have been treated growing up” explains O’Grady.
The story itself is timeless, at the core, considering Dorothy’s coming of age. O’Grady notes that, “high school students, in particular, are at that point where they are looking towards what’s next and home feels stifling.” Their eagerness to venture out in the world is mitigated by the harsh reality that the world is a scary place; recent news headlines from Orlando, Dallas and Baton Rouge confirm this. “Once you get out in world, coming back to appreciate what it is about home that you love” becomes the real take away message.
“Do one thing a day that scares you,” she encourages her actors, taking a nod from Eleanor Roosevelt. “To see the light bulbs go off…[to experience] the ‘aha’ moments,” is what O’Grady credits as luring her back for her tenth season with BSC. O’Grady’s work is testament to theater as a powerful vehicle for individual growth and self-exploration. O’Grady, who went to graduate school for youth theater, sings its praises: “For me, growing up, theatre is what gave me my confidence” she remarks. “[Theater] helps you play, it helps cultivate your imagination,” both of which can be seen in the liberties taken to explore the urban and traditional sides of Baum’s iconic story.
Dorothy (Taylor Mickens of Springfield) passes by the Scarecrow (Courtney Stewart of Springfield) and is heckled by crows-turned-construction workers decked out in hard-hat “beaks” and work gloves; the cornfield is punctuated by a mix of traditional pumpkins and modern blaze orange construction cones; the Tin Man carries an electric guitar, rather than a standard axe, so “sliding some oil to him” becomes equivalent to hooking up an amp in order to play a guitar riff. From a casting perspective, O’Grady cast Madeline Lukomski as the Wiz; Lukomski, who was called back for every part, was eventually chosen for her ability to “come in late in the show, be a powerful presence, and take us all by storm.”
Stewart, 18, returns for his third summer with BSC; he will attend MCLA in the fall and is just one of the many, “kids who are super hungry in pursuing [theatre] potentially for a living” according to O’Grady. He sings beautifully and powerfully: “And now that I know….I can stand on my own/And nothin’s gonna get in my way.” His solo speaks of growth and venturing out and taking risks. This is the coming together, from all walks of life, and “so heavily relying upon a team of people [that teaches] collaboration” O’Grady points out. And just as Dorothy must step out of Kansas in order to come of age, so must we all step out of our proverbial comfort zones if we are to grow as individuals and, ultimately, a community.
Performances of Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre production of THE WIZ will be presented at Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield from July 27-August 14. Performances are Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Added matinee performance Wednesday, August 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $12, $16. Please be aware that all patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. No exceptions. For information and tickets, consult the Berkshire Edge Calendar, call Barrington Stage Box Office: (413) 236-8888 or online at www.barringtonstageco.org.
