"Munchkins of the world, unite!"
And so they did, as five of the six surviving original Munchkin actors--Ruth Duccini (Villager), Jerry Maren (Lollipop Guild Member), Margaret Pellegrini (Flowerpot Hat Dancer), Meinhardt Raabe (Coroner, and oldest living Munchkin, who proclaims, "The witch is dead!"), and Karl Slover (First Trumpeter)--were honored guests (as opposed to me, just a regular guest) last night at a gala event celebrating the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz at New York City's famous Tavern on the Green. Fun fact: The Tavern was founded and is owned and run by the family of Oz producer Mervyn LeRoy. Notables arrived on a Yellow Brick Road instead of a red carpet, and the parking lot accommodated a seven-and-a-half-story custom hot air balloon.
Highlights of the evening were many, including individual introductions of the five actors, several of whom recreated their memorable lines (and songs!) as first heard in the Munchkinland sequence of Oz way back in 1939. They also captivated the crowd with tales from the set, of star Judy Garland, and personal anecdotes including building airplanes during World War II. The gang doesn't get together very often, and this was their first such reunion in Manhattan.
Following a performance by the touring company of the stage musical Wizard of Oz, Lorna Luft (you kids might know her from Grease 2) belted out both "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby" as well as a touching Oz medley arranged especially for the event, as a tribute to her mother, the late Judy Garland. And man can this lady sing! Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum recording artist Ashanti, who recently played Dorothy in City Center Encores! production of The Wiz, delivered soulful renditions of both a classic tune and a cut off her 2008 album, The Declaration. Released yesterday was Ashanti's new single of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
In addition to the milestone of the movie's theatrical release, the festivities commemorated Warner Home Video's impending September 29th Blu-ray and DVD release of The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Editions.
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