Naturally, a crisis ensues, and Dorothy (Melody Stolpp) must turn back the clock to herself at age 14 (Makenna Zur Schmiede) and again at 12 (Hannah Sullivan) to battle Roquat the Gnome King, malevolently rendered by Jake Weinberg. Weinberg doubles as an equally shady tycoon on board the ship.
Stolpp and Sullivan make the most of their lengthy turns as Dorothy, turning in a pair of enchanting performances, while Akshay Sharma ages successfully as Uncle Henry. But the real showcase here is Bill the chicken, to whom author L. Frank Baum and adapter Suzan L. Zeder have given all the best lines — and Becky King pecks away at them with relish.
Other notable performances come from Julian Sharifi as an amiable clock, Alex Gaines and Sanaz Toossi as a pair of grand dames and Brandon Barnes as the ship captain and other characters. There's no wizard this time, but Julia Ostmann is quite regal as Ozma, ruler of Oz.
Director Hisa Takakuwa brings many atmospheric elements into play, including smoke and mirrors, while musical director Erin McNally and arranger/orchestrator Robert Nafarrete provide the captivating accompaniment. Angela Balogh Calin's shifting scenic designs are colorful, as are the costumes, credited to a designer listed only as Reagan.
"Time Again in Oz" winds up its brief engagement this weekend with closing performances Saturday and Sunday in SCR's Nicholas Studio.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: "Time Again in Oz"
WHERE: South Coast Repertory Nicholas Studio, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
WHEN: Closing performances Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m.
COST: $9
CALL: (714) 708-5555
Theater debuts with powerful "Streetcar"
