The Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC) has pulled out all stops with its absolutely stunning, fun-filled and fantastic production of "The Wizard of Oz." All the way from Kansas, right down the wonderful yellow brick road, through the land of Munchkins and the poppy fields and wild forests to the wonderful Land of Oz, L. Frank Baum would be smiling right now if he could see how wonderful this DLOC production is.

Director Byron Peters has outdone himself with the outstanding assistance of Choreographer Sheri Stockdale, Musical Director Cheryl Yee Glass and vocal director John Erreca. This is truly a show to write home about!

Dorothy, played by 13-year-old trouper Madeline Trumble, is no newcomer to musical theatre and she really shows how incredibly talented and versatile she is in this very demanding show. Having performed at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Altarena Playhouse and Magic Wand productions in a lot of key roles, this young lady will steal your heart as the sweet, innocent little girl from Kansas, caught up in a whirlwind and deposited in Oz. Her voice is sweet and charming, her stage presence is mature and confident. Here is a very fine young actress who delivers Dorothy in spades.

Obviously, the cast of supporting actors is absolutely key in making this ensemble show a success, and you probably just couldn't find a better cast available to regional theatre audiences. James Koponen as been all over the map in local productions, a familiar face to local audiences. He is a terrific young actor, dancer, cable television host and super guy to know. He takes on the character of the scarecrow and brings him delightfully and fully to life.

Not since Bert Lahr have I enjoyed the cowardly lion so very much, but with David Collins as the whimpering, simpering lion, my faith is reborn that someone else can encapsulate this terrific character. Robert Sholty is terrific as the tin woodsman. Creaking and squeaking, with oil can leaking, the woodsman without a heart, certainly found mine and nearly stole it away!

Two witches are essential to the drama and magnetism that draw audiences back again and again. The roles have been aptly filled, first with Pam Koepf diving into the heavy part of the dastardly witch, the wicked Witch of the West (made famous by Margaret Hamilton) and she delivers an absolutely stellar, blood-curdling performance. Second, miss sweetness and light, the Good Witch of the North, and also the mother character, Aunt Em, are played exceptionally well by the ever-talented Judy Ryken.

With a cast of 43 and one Toto (Mutton Chops Jr.) too, the show is a bevy of bustling, burgeoning, joy-beckoning characters. This show is one delightful turn after another. There are so many who deserve to have their names mentioned, but of all those remaining, I would be doing a huge disservice if I didn't mention the most excellent contribution of Alan Cameron. He first plays the affable Uncle Henry and the Emerald City gate guard (a very important, albeit slightly smaller role). Cameron is just plain wonderful!

Of course, what would a Wizard of Oz show without a truly magnificent Wiz of a Wiz, and if ever a Wiz of a Wiz there was, John Hetzler is exactly that, a terrific Wiz of a Wiz, the magnificent and wonderful Wizard of Oz. The kids, and most especially the Munchkin adults, are so much fun, with such magnificent makeup and costumes, they encapsulate the world of smallness in a very big way!

And have they got dancers! Number after number, the dancers perform so very well, but when you see the jitterbug number, you are not going to forget it. This jitterbug scene was left out of the movie, but has been brought back into the musical for your enjoyment.

Luxurious lighting, spectacular set design, clever special effects and unique aerial magic bring the entire production an even higher level of professionalism. DLOC has brought in aerial specialists ZFX out of Las Vegas to rig "flying"apparatus to allow Dorothy, the witches and the wizard to "fly"above the stage.

In addition, the music experience is rich and romantic under the artful direction of Cheryl Yee Glass.

Call for tickets at 943-SHOW. Tickets range from $22 to $32. This production runs through Sept. 27 on the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek.

This outrageous fun-filled family style musical is just raring to entertain you. The kids will love it, moms and dads will love it, and you will undoubtedly love it all over again! "The Wizard of Oz"has never been better in a regional theater!