In 1939, a musical fantasy film was released. The movie is so iconic that with one name—Judy Garland—most can guess the movie’s title. If that’s not enough, let’s just say it’s a story about a young girl, a pair of ruby red slippers and a little dog named Toto. Sounds familiar now, right? Everyone knows the story of The Wizard of Oz from that classic film, but now, it’s on stage.
After Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created the musical stage production of The Wizard of Oz back in 2011, the original role for Dorothy was cast through a British reality television show called Over the Rainbow. It worked so well that when a Toronto production of the musical began, they filled the role in the same way. At just 20 years old, Danielle Wade landed the huge role of Dorothy. Now, the Canadian production is on a North American tour, and before their stop in St. Louis, Wade took the time to answer a few questions about the show, and filling such well-known ruby red shoes.
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SLM: So you landed the role a little differently from most actors.
DW: I did. I was on a reality show, basically like American Idol.
What was that like?
It was terrifying and exciting and wonderful all at the same time. I sang a song each week and was voted the winner of the show. It still seems crazy to me.
Had you ever been on T.V. or done anything big like that before?
Nothing. This was my first acting job I’ve ever been paid for. [Laughing.] I worked at a coffee shop at home.
Do you think that experience helped you prepare for the stage?
Oh, for sure. It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s not often you get to work under pressure like that. I mean you had a week to learn a new song and a dance. It’s not often you get a challenge like that.
What’s it like playing the iconic character that Judy Garland made so well known and beloved?
It’s kind of like the show: terrifying, but exciting at the same time because everyone knows her and has some sort of attachment to her portrayal of Dorothy. You get nervous when you’re up there, but it’s exciting to challenge people’s perceptions, in a way.
Do you think you bring out your own version of the character instead of trying to be Judy Garland?
Yeah, because I never could be her and I don’t want to let people down, so I don’t try to imitate her.
What major changes separate the musical from the movie?
Everything you know from the film is there like the songs, but the dialogue is a little more contemporary because we are in 2014, not 1939, so there’s a difference, bringing the dialogue into this century.
Do you think Wicked has influenced the show at all?
I think some of the costumes are very similar to what they did [in Wicked]…I mean the costumes are spectacular.
Wicked definitely changed people’s mindsets about how we see the Wicked Witch. Is she a little different in your production from the movie?
Yeah. Jackie Piro Donovan plays our Wicked Witch and she’s very different from Margaret Hamilton. She definitely pulls from her, but she’s crazier, if that makes sense. She’s more like, ‘I don’t know what you’re going to do next,’ which is terrifying.
I’ve heard that she’s funny, too, and that this is a very family-friendly show, so maybe they didn’t want her to be too scary for little kids.
Yeah, she’s very funny. The monkeys are still creepy, but they’re not exactly scary. The monkeys just creep me out so much.
Is Toto actually played by a dog?
Yes, he’s a real dog. His name is Nigel, and he is a Cairn Terrier, just like in the movie. He was rescued, and he has an understudy named Loki.
What’s it like to act with a dog?
It’s so much fun. He steals the show every night because he’s so cute. He’s the best actor of us all.
Do you get nervous he’ll forget his lines?
No, no. He knows everything by heart.
What’s your favorite part of the show?
My favorite part is ‘Over the Rainbow,’ for sure. We’re getting close to 500 performances, and I still have a blast every night singing it. The whole show is a good time. Everything you know and love of the Wizard of Oz is still there. You just get to see it again in a new light.
The Wizard of Oz will be at the Fox Theatre (527 N. Grand) from May 13-18. Tickets can be purchased at fabulousfox.com, at the box office, or by calling 314-534-1111. For more information, go to fabulousfox.com.
