THE WIZARD

by Ed Bruce edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

This, the music of composer Harold Arlen at the Grek Isles showroom just off the Las Vegas strip. The theme, for me, as strong as anything playing here, but maybe that is the issue, I am 63 and loved the music from The Wizard of Oz (1939). I hope the show can reach its audience and live forever.....I want everything to succeed (except rap) !

Saturday night was media night and my second try for this show. It is progressing and I loved all the music on both trips. Again, I do not need extras and tries for production with this great composer, for me they are unnecessary, as are more than one singer a song (unless the Mills Brothers are coming back ! None of the six performers are bad and alone all would be better.

I can only report my experience.....7 minutes late, bass player chewing gum, technically and continuity wise a big improvement from the first viewing....still work to be done here and worst of all the loudest cocktail waitress in history....you could hear her across the room....gosh I wanted to hear the lyrics to "Over the Rainbow " again !

Sam Arlen, the composer's son, is in the show and plays the saxophone and does some sthick I do not care for.....maybe its his show and his dollar backing this.....maybe not....the thought is on my mind.... which is really meaningless because he fits in rather well. I still am uncomfortable with how the radio show theme written into the show works....they are not getting the message to me....but of course in my case I am only there to hear this great music. Five pieces with some archival video that is partly covered by the musicians...a higher smaller screen could fix this along with the into trivia quiz I liked and saw in the first production.

The producer reinvited us to show number two....I hope he will invite you....its a nice show B+ 88