San Francisco USA
Written by Sason Bishope Parry
Davies Symphony Hall was full of excitement on Wednesday, May 2nd, as fans of the classic and beloved film The Wizard of Oz poured into the building. The film is a 1939 American musical fantasy that has aged well over 80+ years since its release. Who wouldn’t be excited to see the magnificent Judy Garland sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” It is a superb song and composition written by composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg. The reception halls had kids and adults dressed in their best Dorothy outfits, prancing around and stopping for photo ops. One family went all out with each dressed as the beloved characters, including the lion, the Tin Man, and one of the witches of the West’s henchman, the Flying Monkey.
As we took our seats, the symphony wasted no time as conductor Constantine Kitsopoulus took the stage to a round of loud applause as the opening credits rolled on the big screen. The film opens with the story of Dorothy and her cute dog, Toto, living on her family’s ranch. Toto got into trouble with one of the unruly locals who conspired with the sheriff to take Toto away. However, just as Dorothy decides to run away and leave her family, Auntie Em, and others, a tornado hits and takes her away. When she awakes, she is in another land over the rainbow, as Dorothy describes—a beautiful, colorful place with munchkins and witches. Dorothy’s house landed and killed the wicked witch of the East. Unfortunately for Dorothy, the witch’s sister vows to take revenge.
This sets Dorothy on an incredible adventure to find the Wizard of Oz along the yellow brick road to help her return to Kansas. Along the way, she joins three fun and inspiring characters longing for something more. The scarecrow who needs a brain, the tin man who needs a heart, and the lion, who needs courage. Dorothy invites her new friends to join her on her journey to Emerald City. Thankfully, she and her new friends gave Glenda the good witch watching over them. The symphony played each part perfectly, and it was as though we had just been catapulted to the magical city of Oz ourselves. Composer Harold Arlen outdid himself with the fantastic and classic score. Many cover renditions of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” have been done over the years, but none more beautiful and original than the Hawaiian singer-songwriter Israel KamakawiwoÊ»ole, who popularized the song in 1988.
It was a magical ride with the SF Symphony, Dorothy, and friends through Oz from start to finish. There is something special about The Wizard of Oz that brings out the kid in all of us. In a time when brains, courage, and a big heart are often missed in our world, this joyous film reminds us of how important they are. There is no place like home and family, which Dorothy states multiple times as she makes her way back to Kansas. Something for all of
us to remember is that home is where the heart lives. It was another epic night in the books with SFs best orchestra.
For more info on the SF Symphony go to www.sfsymphony.org
