Over Due Theatre Company last weekend opened its own presentation of the L. Frank Baum fable in conjunction with the Olivette Parks and Recreation Department.  Seemingly as many people, primarily children, were on stage as the Munchkins who populated Munchkinland in the Land of Oz, all under the loving direction of Wayne Mackenberg.

Mackenberg goes ambition a step further by directing a full-fledged version of the musical, including a staggering 27 scenes in its two acts, for Over Due's summer musical theater camp 2009 edition at Olivette.  The 26 musical numbers include some that are just merely seconds or so long, as well as other lengthier renditions of time-honored classics written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, such as "If I Only Had a Brain" and "We're Off to See the Wizard."

Pianist Catherine Kopff's musical direction is handled off-stage behind a partition that maintains the fantasy effect for the tykes in the audience, while also providing accompaniment for the singers, assisted by percussionist Chris Brown and Jeremy Auch on synthesizer.

Singers such as Katie Lynn McGowan, for example, who throws herself into Dorothy's big number, Over the Rainbow.  In the Saturday evening performance Katie not only delivered her lines and tunes in showmanlike fashion but also contended with Gigi, the fun-loving canine who simply had a will of her own and as Toto was determined to steal every scene.  Gigi was quite adept at generating laughs!

Her human colleagues were committed to their roles as well.  Tom Bell brought to mind the antics of Bert Lahr in the movie with his physical schtick as the Cowardly Lion, while Devon Norris and Mark Saunders were ingratiating as the Scarecrow and Tin Man, respectively.

Tom Kopp brought his usual savvy to the roles of Professor Marvel and the Wizard, while Lori Gibson played up her status as the resident villains, Mrs. Gultch and the Wicked Witch of the West.  Anne Marie McGowan had a fine time as Glinda, the Good Witch, while Debbie Bixler and Randy Masterson essayed the parts of Dorothy's Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.

The dozens of children corralled by Mackenberg enjoyed themselves to the hilt, notwithstanding the claustrophobic effect of so many performers on the minuscule Olivette Community Center stage, getting into Anne Marie McGowan's choreography on the set designed by Mackenberg and Kopp.  Augusta McGowan, Bixler, Mackenberg and Gibson deserve particular credit for designing the copious costumes adorning the lads and lasses as well as the major players.

If you'd like to join the troupe on its trek along that colorful and magical road to Oz, the show is performed again at 8 p.m. on August 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. on August 16 at the Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive.  For ticket information you may call 636-328-6546.