The Wiz

• By ROBIN MILLER
• Arts writer
• Published: Oct 11, 2009

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Evillene is supposed to represent fire, hence the fire engine-red boots.

The fire-engine red boots with the zipper that ends at mid-thigh.

The fire-engine red boots with 5-inch heels.

“I have to put them on for rehearsal to keep my balance,” Rosalind Reynard said. “I’m not used to wearing anything like this.”

And easing on down the road definitely won’t be easy in those boots. Then again, Evillene doesn’t really ease down the road at any point in New Venture Theatre’s production of The Wiz.

It’s her job to keep Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion from completing their journey along the yellow brick road. Oh, and Toto, too.

Yes, The Wiz follows the same path as L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, as well as that of the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland.

And speaking of that film, movie theaters nationwide are celebrating its 70th anniversary by returning The Wizard of Oz to the big screen.

Dorothy is back. The Munchkins are back. Even the Wicked Witch of the West. Who happens to be named Evillene in the tall, red boots in New Venture’s musical. This is Reynard’s character, the story’s bad guy.

“And I have to say it’s a lot of fun playing the bad guy,” Reynard said, zipping the second boot over her pant leg. She stands up, catches her balance.

Gosh, she looks more like she’s preparing to become the fifth member of the rock group KISS than she is a wicked witch at this point.

“Oh, but don’t worry,” Celeste Veillon said. “I get to wear some wild things, too.”

Which really puts the imagination in overdrive. Think about it. Glinda? Yes, that’s as in the Good Witch. In 5-inch heels?