TRR photo by Richard A. Ross “There’s no place like home,” says Dorothy as she is comforted by the presence of Uncle Henry, left (Kevin Graham), Auntie Em (Jackie Ellmauer), Hunk (Randy Grimm) and Gypsy Marvel (Diana Justus).

‘Because of the wonderful things he does’

Sullivan West’s production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ brings down the house

richardross@riverreporter.cm >By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY—It took a perilous journey in search of the Wizard of Oz to convince the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy that they already possessed what they each had sought the most.

As they ultimately discover, the character in the play is not a real wizard after all, but when it comes to putting on stellar productions, director Bill Moloney is truly one indeed. Once again, Moloney has demonstrated that he has an uncanny sense of theatre, can mobilize anyone and everyone to help with the zillions of things that need to be done, and in the end can stitch together a family of countless souls to create great theatre.

The result, Sullivan West’s musical production of Frank L. Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz,” was nothing short of magical.

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‘Disturbia’ a sometimes-inspired modernization of Hitchcock

What an odd beast, this movie “Disturbia.” Anyone with a rudimentary education in film history can tell you that the setup—a voyeuristic man trapped inside his own home suspects his neighbor of murder—is taken directly from one of Hitchcock’s myriad masterpieces, “Rear Window,” but less mentioned in reviews (perhaps out of fear of ruining the surprises which have stood available for 50-odd years now) is the connection to John Carpenter’s own classic “Halloween.”

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Free Comic Book Day comes to Matamoras

Local comic book inker will sell original art

MATAMORAS, PA—McRae’s Li’l Comic Shop, at 505 Pennsylvania Avenue, will be one of thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the comic book art form on Saturday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Free Comic Book Day, close to 2 million comic books will be given away by participating stores, introducing as many people as possible to the wonders of comic books.

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Other stories in this issue:

• ‘Animal Farm’ reading to benefit library
• Wanted: bear decorators
• Errol Flynn swashbuckler featured at Cinema 6
• Poet Greene to read at Hamish and Henry
• Kids study nature, create art at Grey Towers
• Hillbilly hilarity at a murder mystery evening
• Honesdale High School to present ‘Pippin’
• International Food Tasting to tempt palates for a fifth year