Who needs the Wizard of Oz when you can have the Wizard of One? A singular actor who can master every role sounds like a dream, doesn't it? The Wizard of One is a solo reimagining of the Wizard of Oz…except it’s set in a retirement home. The characters face challenges that are quite different from the original tale. The artists succeeded in turning a well-known classic into a new, humorous story that is simple yet effective.

Using distinct voices, physicality, and mannerisms, Neil James was able to breathe life into all 12 characters of the show. Along with his incredible acting, he pushed the plot forward using barely any props and stage space, dropping in cleverly integrated jokes along the way. The different voices and body language that James used were quite dorky, for lack of a better word, and they only added to the already spectacular comedic element. Another aspect of the show that made the audience chuckle was the hilarious fight sequences, emphasized by a goofy yet dramatic underscore.

The lighting and sound design weren’t anything to sleep on. Aside from the underscores during fight scenes, sound design included a lovely homage to the Wizard of Oz by playing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” during the opening scene of the show. A commonly used lighting element throughout the show was the use of cooler washes during the villainous, dramatic scenes, and warmer washes during the lighthearted, comedic scenes. I do wish there were more frequent changes in lighting, but for what the setup had to offer, the technical elements of the show did not miss.

The Wizard of One is definitely not a show to look past. It’s always lovely to see what a classic tale can become when put in the hands of a creative mind.