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PAST BUZZ
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The Little Witch of Wichita History
Winner of the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department/Performing Arts Division, “Playday Competition”
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Little Lost Arts Theatre
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Branchville, NJ
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October 2007
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Geffen Playhouse
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Los Angeles, CA
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October 2006
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Adventure Theatre
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Glen Echo, MD
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October 2005
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The Grove
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Upland, CA
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October 2004
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Conejo Children’s Theatre
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Thousand Oaks, CA
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October 2003
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Academy of Children’s Theatre
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Kennewick, WA
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October 2003
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Torrance Cable T.V. (one month)
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Torrance, CA
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October 2003
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South County Players Children’s Theatre
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Peace Dale, RI
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October 2002
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Early Stages
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Houston, TX
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October 2001
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The Geffen Playhouse
Westwood, CA.
October, 7, 14, 21, 2006
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The Little Witch of Wichita was a wonderful way to kick off our 2006-2007 season of family programming at the Geffen Playhouse. The show’s entertainment value as well as its essential environmental message was a hit with both parents and children alike. Combining education and entertainment is what we really value in our programming for the Saturday Scene and The Little Witch of Wichita perfectly fit the bill.
Debra Pasquerette
Education Director
Geffen Playhouse
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Adventure Theater
Glen Echo, MD
Sept. 24 through Oct. 30 2005
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Arts & Culture
The Montgomery County Sentinel
October 6, 2005
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“The Little Witch of Wichita” Casting Spells at Adventure By David Cannon Sentinel Arts Critic
One of the more popular nonfiction books last year was “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” Now Adventure Theater indirectly answers that question — and it has absolutely nothing to do with politics.”
The Little Witch of Wichita” opens the current season with a decidedly non-scary, family friendly Halloween show. Despite the title and some of the characters, the message of this play is definitely down to earth: respect others; respect the world around you, and nobody can put you down unless you put yourself down first.
And witches are terrible at directions. OK, that’s a seasonal message but it is handy to know.
Our lead character is named Katrina — I know, an unfortunate choice of names right now — but everyone calls her the Little Witch. Katrina wants the respect of her elders, and that allows the comically dubious East Witch and West Witch to lead our heroine astray. Fortunately Katrina’s friends and the acquaintances she meets along the way help her to get back on track.
The best thing about this production is Priscilla Cuellar as Witch Hazel, the head of this kooky coven. Cuellar has a great voice, able to put across the country tinged solo songs and really belt out that rock and roll song at her entry. She also has a knack for comic timing and is able to work with the younger members of the audience in a friendly manner despite her costume.
No one else can match Cuellar vocally, but Kristi Oristan as Katrina does a nice job with her ballad and makes an appealing heroine. Danny Pushkin and Amber Krause are slapstick fun as the East and West Witch, but it is when they double as various woodland creatures that Katrina later encounter that they really shine. Patrick Doneghy as an old man who also helps Katrina and Michael Brick as another warlock trying to sabotage our heroine’s quest do well in supporting roles.
Director Kevin Kuchar keeps it all moving nicely and uses the front of the stage well — the temporary location on the side of the Spanish ballroom reduces the space between actors and audience and that is used well here. Scott Selman’s lighting and set design also add to the more comical than scary Halloween fun of the piece.
There are more than a few nods here toward Harry Potter. ‘There are comical allusions to witches using “Fed Hex” services and Katrina longs for a souped up broom that would be ideal for the Quidditch field. But where Potter can sometimes bog down in subplots, this play is quick and focused on its goal. And those final messages about one’s self and one’s environment are valuable well after the Halloween candy has been eaten.
“The Little Witch of Wichita” continues at Adventure Theater in Glen Echo, currently in the Spanish Ballroom Annex during renovations, through October 30. For more information, call (301) 320-5331.
“The Little Witch of Wichita” Adventure Theater
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Grove Theatre,
Upland, CA
October, 2004
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Grove Theatre, Upland, CA
U-Daily Bulletin
Grove's "Little Witch" is engaging, clever family theater
By Don Maslowski
Correspondent
Friday, October 15, 2004 - It's a fact: Upland's Grove Theatre knows how to do children's theater. Take their latest effort, for instance. "The Little Witch of Wichita" is a smart, stylish, 90 minutes -- including a healthy intermission -- of vibrant, fun-filled theater with a simple but well-developed storyline, engaging characters, clever lyrics and music that won't send a diabetic into shock.
OK, it gets a little preachy at times, its writers preferring the 2-by-4-over-the-head approach more often than subtlety, but in the more than capable hands of a talented bunch of adults and children, and a crack directing team, it's a witch's brew with a moral that goes down easy.
Beth Martin Brown (book), Kevin Kaufman (music) and Sandy Sherman (lyrics) put their creative heads together in 1995 and bested 3,000 other entries with "Little Witch's" inaugural production for the L.A. Cultural Arts Association. In only its fifth production -- the others took place in Thousand Oaks, Houston, Rhode Island and Washington -- it hits gold with the Grove's.
Under the knowing direction of Michael Buczynski, an actor whom I have praised many times for his innate ability to connect with the younger set without alienating the adults in the audience, and his astute co-director Mark MacKenzie, this show becomes infinitely more than it is on the page.
The short version of the story has a sweet, young, well-mannered witch sent on a sort of scavenger hunt to find necessary ingredients for a witch's concoction for the annual Halloween bash. You know, the usual: a cup of mice, mashed tree bark and the cane of a very old man. The long version teaches of endangered species and the food chain, the importance of oxygen-producing plants and the stupidity of stealing to impress.
The adorable Kaitlin Orr is the Little Witch of Wichita, though she would prefer to simply be called Katrina. After all, it is her name. When she arrives late for the party and without the aforementioned goodies, the not nearly as nice East and West Witches (Kitty Aamodt and Melissa Grisham, not too mean, silly or witchy; a perfect blend) send her off to get them. At each meeting of the potential supplier, she faces a moral dilemma. Decisions abound, lessons are learned, Sesame Street would be proud.
Kaufman, who was in attendance with Brown and Sherman for the opening performance, said the biggest surprise for him was seeing the character of Butch, as played by Chris Wallace. He's a brat, a spoiled kid, Kaufman said of the character, who is the son of the directionally-challenged mighty Witch Hazel (the absolutely delightful Amanda Knight, demonstrating one of the show's two best voices). But Wallace gives him a Guys and Dolls spin, street-wise, with that famous New York attitude, making him his own.
The showstopper, though, has to be the incredible Vil Towers as the Zoot-suited Armando Mouse. Sly as a fox, proud as a peacock and with the voice of a songbird, this mouse can rouse the house.
The ecology lesson comes courtesy of the Peek-A-Boo Tree (a game Brooke Dale, with gamy voice to match). Jack Hermann takes a turn as the Old Man and appears uncredited as a late Rod Roddy-type announcer from "The Price is Right," articulating the virtues of the grand prize for creating the best -- or worst -- witch's brew: A Regina cordless, electric broom with remote control and DSL high-speed internet access.
Young Mackenzie Orr is featured as Katrina's mute cat, Aries. With more winks and nods, cultural send-ups and inside jokes than a Weird Al Yankovic recording, this is a show that's equally entertaining for the adults as for the kiddos. Even the songs are a potpourri of pop culture.
"Billy Ray Cyrus's ‘Achy Breaky Heart' was number one when we wrote it, so of course, it became ‘Itchy Witchy Heart,' Sherman said of one of the play's musical parodies.
"It's got a little bit of everything in it," added Kaufman, about the title song's Phil Spector wall-of-sound feel about it.
Hopefully, Grove's winning production will generate some ripples for "Little Witch." It deserves it. I don't know how much the kiddies liked it, but I loved it.
STAGE REVIEW
"THE LITTLE WITCH OF WICHITA"
Where: Grove Theatre, Upland
When: Saturdays at 2 p.m. through Oct. 30.
Where: The Grove Theatre, 276 E. Ninth St., Upland.
Cost: $6 for all seats.
Information: (909) 920-4343.
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TORRANCE , CA
Little Witch on
Cable Television 2003
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Academy of Children's Theatre
Kennewick, WA
OCTOBER 24 & 25 2003
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Academy of Children’s Theatre
November 24, 2003
To Whom It May Concern:
A good, family-friendly Halloween production is difficult to find. A fantastic family-oriented Halloween production is next to impossible—unless you take a look at THE LITTLE WITCH OF WICHITA, a “bewitching” musical by Beth Martin Brown, Kevin Kaufman, and Sandy Sherman.
The Academy of Children’s Theatre had the great pleasure of presenting this well-written production in October 2003. The show played to packed houses both nights. There were requests from the public for additional shows, but unfortunately time didn’t permit. A month later, we still hear children and parents talking about what a wonderful show it was and how much they enjoyed it.
Katrina, The Little Witch travels down a path that we all take during our lives. She longs for respect from her fellow witches, yet receives nothing but taunting from them. Through her story, we understand that respect from others is something you do not earn by cheating and hurting, but through respecting yourself and the world around you. The friends she meets along the way— Armando Mouse, The Peekaboo Tree, and The Very Old Man—all help her to “live and learn” through lively music, humor, and some insightful, tender moments. The show is well balanced with the character of Witch Hazel, queen of the witches, who brings down the house with her final number.
Kudos to Mr. Kaufman, Ms. Brown and Ms. Sherman for creating this magical story that teaches a valuable lesson while it entertains. Would ACT produce this script again? Absolutely! If your organization is looking for a phenomenal Halloween production for children and their families, you need look no further. THE LITTLE WITCH OF WICHITA is a complete package that your audiences will talk about for quite some time!
Respectfully,
Lisa Pixler
Education Director
Academy of Children’s Theatre
Where Tomorrow’s Stars Shine Today
509*585*1279 PO Box 1192 Richland, WA 99352
www.AcademyofChildrensTheatre.org
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CONEJO Children's Theatre
Thousands Oaks, CA
OCTOBER 24 & 25 2003
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Conejo Valley
The Little Witch of Wichita has all the elements. Its catchy music,
witty dialogue and important message serve up the most family friendly
theater experience around! Audience members learn how to respect
the earth and its inhabitants as they clap and sing along with endearing
characters.
Jennifer Sorenson, Director
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South County Players Children's Theatre
Peace Dale, Rhode Island
October 19- 20. 2002
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South County Players Children's Theatre
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POB 354 Peace Dale, R.I. 02883 October 19- 20. 2002
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THE LITTLE WITCH OF WICHITA offered us a script that we could develop to meet our needs. Both music and lyrics are "do-able" for children's theater. The writers were willing to help us with all of our ideas. They kept in close contact with us throughout the rehearsal process and after the performances. LITTLE WITCH is a great piece for the October time slot. It offers a twist on the Halloween theme. Its message is current and the plot offered opportunities for our theater to creatively present the play in keeping with our theatre's goals. We were especially pleased with the forest we developed and the color plot for both costumes and set. Feel free to contact us for details.
Judith Ross-McNab, Executive Director, South County Players Children's Theatre;
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
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Early Stages Children's Theatre;
Houston, TX.
October 13 - November 10, 2001
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Early Stages Children's Theatre
3201 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX. 77019
October 13 - November 10, 2001
LITTLE WITCH thrilled children, parents, and teachers alike...The characters are well-drawn and distinct and each has an interesting journey. The Little Witch or Katrina as she prefers to be called has the most important journey toward understanding that self-respect comes from within, from giving respect to others, and that she must 'live and learn' from every experience. This somewhat serious message is presented with just the right amount of wit and fun.
Chesley Krohn, Director of Early Stages Children's Theatre;
Houston, TX.
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