The Wizard of Oz in Concert

Before seeing the new movie next week (I'm so excited!), I went to see the original at Abravanel Hall with the score performed live by the Utah Symphony last night.  I don't think I have ever seen The Wizard of Oz on the big screen before but I have a very vivid memory of watching it on TV at my Grandma Johnson's house when I was a little girl.  I remember being allowed to stay up past my bedtime (a rare treat) in order to see the whole movie and I was absolutely dazzled when Dorothy landed in Oz and the black and white images turned to color!  I was happy to see so many kids in the audience who were probably seeing the movie for the first time and I loved hearing them cheer at that same moment!  One of the things I love about these films in concert is all of the audience participation.  I heard lots of laughter when Hunk (Ray Bolger) tells Dorothy (Judy Garland) to use her brains, when Zeke (Bert Lahr) tells her to be courageous, when Hickory (Jack Haley) tells her that there will be a statue made of him someday, and when she calls Mrs. Gulch (Margaret Hamilton) a wicked old witch because they eventually turn into the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Wicked Witch of the West, respectively.  There was also applause when Toto escapes from Mrs. Gulch and when Dorothy melts the Wicked Witch.  In addition to all of the well-known songs, I really enjoyed hearing the orchestra play the score by Herbert Strothart and, because it was so immersive, I noticed quite a few things I had never payed attention to before.  "Dorothy's Theme" incorporates many instantly recognizable elements from the song "Over the Rainbow" (it also received applause) and it is played multiple times in the movie, "Glinda's Theme" is an ethereal repetition of six notes played by the harp, strings, and woodwinds whenever Glinda (Billie Burke) appears in her bubble, "Toto's Theme" is a really playful sequence by the woodwinds with strings added when he flees from the Wicked Witch, "Gulch's/ Wicked Witch Theme" is a menacing variation of "We're Off to See the Wizard" with lively strings and woodwinds, "The Wizard's Theme" features dramatic strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion to show his power, and the "Winkie March" uses timpani, bass drum, cymbals, and brass to create a militaristic sound.  I also really loved "Cyclone," which features an almost furious crescendo followed by an eerie silence as Dorothy's house lands in Oz, and "Munchkinland," which uses the flute, trumpet, and piano to create a magical soundscape as Dorothy steps out of her house.  I almost enjoyed listening to the music more than watching the movie but it was really fun to see such a classic on the big screen for the first time.  This concert will be repeated again tonight and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here).

Note:  There are fun activities in the lobby before the concert (the kids seemed to have a lot of fun posing with Glinda).