There is probably no other story, film or pop cultural reference that is more symbolically significant to the gay community, than The Wizard of Oz.
The classic story of farm girl Dorothy, swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz where she meets colourful and diverse characters such as the Scarecrow, tin man and a lion, who seems to be gay, is an all time favourite. But it was the 1939 MGM movie that resonated and helped define the gay culture that we know today. Apart from the story’s fantasy of escaping black and white life to ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ where a Technicolor world of musical and dance play out, the film also starred gay icon Judy Garland.
Garland, who many related to for her personal struggles, was so embraced by our community that the day of her funeral became a flashpoint moment, leading to the Stonewall riots and new gay movement. ‘Friends of Dorothy’ became a term and the iconic rainbow became our flag.
In fact, in the story sequel, Dorothy meets a new character named Polychrome, who points out her queer friends. When Dorothy replies that “the queerness doesn’t matter, so long as they’re friends”, it becomes clear that the adventures in Oz truly were diverse and liberating. In the further books there are plots involving same sex attraction and even trans characters.
Apart from the novel and movie, The Wizard of Oz is also a traditional stage musical, which has morphed into the latest London Palladium production. While the film’s original music from Harold Arlen remains, this musical has been given the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice treatment, giving it the ultimate musical shine.
Now The Wizard of Oz is touring ‘Oz’, beginning in Brisbane this month. Directed by Lisa Green, the new production stars popular theatre stars Lucy Durack as Glinda, Jemma Rix as the Wicked Witch and Samantha Dodemaide as Dorothy. In a clever sense of casting both Durack and Rix reprise their witch roles from the Australian production of Wicked.
Eli Cooper (Matilda) takes on the Scarecrow, Alex Rathgeber (The Phantom of the Opera) the Tin Man and John Xintavelonis, who ironically made a name in The Lion King, plays the cowardly lion.
As for playing the Wizard, you can’t get a better drawcard than Anthony Warlow. Honoured in 1990 as a ‘living national treasure’ with an Order of Australia to his name, he’s renowned both on the West End and Broadway.
For some, the idea of The Wizard of Oz returning to the stage may seem a little tiresome and dated, but considering the creative effort that has gone into this new production, it has all the panache of…well, Wicked.
The London Sunday Telegraph called it a ten-star production and the Evening Standard noted its gorgeous sense of spectacle, however the Daily Mail said it was not much better than a decent pantomime. Let’s give the Aussie production a go, and see where the yellow brick road will take us!
As for the gay element, the cast is well aware of the LGBTI cultural connection. The Tin Man himself, Alex Rathgeber, believes there is a definite correlation with the characters.
“The nature of this story is such that it’s about a bunch of isolated individuals who along the way, band together, accept their differences and forge ahead as a team – looking for a better Technicolor life,” says Alex.
“I think the LGBTI community connect to that idea of being different, wanting to obtain a key to their own freedom of expression, and then there’s a huge sense of celebration and love. It comes from the ultimate togetherness of an unconventional ‘family’, where our strengths also lie in the things that make us unique – and fabulous!
“I think in general, people really relate to the way all the characters in this story have a desire for their life to be different, and for a perceived void to be filled.”
Celebrated spectacular or colourful pantomime, either way, the first Broadway production of The Wizard of Oz was way back in 1902. Obviously there’s something special enough about this story that still fill seats well over a century later.
For more visit wizardofozthemusical.com
