Theatre for Young Audiences

Orlando Shakespeare Theatre does 3 plays a year for young audiences. Karen, Sarah and I went to see OZ. Highly recommended of kids. The audience was made up primarily of kids from ages 4 to about age 9, all of whom seemed enthralled by the little effects.

OZ is the story of Frank Baum who is writing his unnamed story about a little girl in a magical world. He encounters Dot, and adopts the name Dorothy for the lead character. Frank, Dot and his servant Bridgey act out the story and continue to embellish the plot, ultimately into the Wizard of OZ. The setting is Frank Baum's living where the story unfolds. Lots of imagination is needed as Toto is merely a foot stool, the Scarecrow and Tin Man made from hat poles and the Lion from an easy chair. But the kids seem to really get into the story mostly because of the superb acting and direction in this three man show.

There really isn't much more to write about the show. The 13 year old actress, Lexie who played Dot was a schoolmate of Sarah's from Lake Mary Prep. We met her family during intermission. She did an admirable job.