WARNING: VERY SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!
Three years ago, I walked into a tent in someone’s backyard in Los Angeles, quite unaware of the journey I was about to embark on. It was there that I learned that I was being recruited into the King’s Armed Militia. After a brief chat with Lyman, whom helped me get settled into this new world while he spoke of the coming conflict with his unique wit and charm, I was brought to Private Jo Files. This military man made me fill out forms, talk about my life, and pretty much ridiculed me for not having a clue (I mean, he wasn’t wrong).
From there, I was shuffled into speak with Phil Daring, as he prepared me for what I was in for. As he spoke, though, the words coming out of his mouth did not match the hidden messages he showed me in his notebook. Sure, I was “joining the Armed Militia” on the surface level, but from that moment forward, I actually pledged myself to the Patchwork Resistance. By the time all of this was through, I had spent only a brief 20 minutes or so in the land of Oz.
I was intrigued, I was enthralled, but most of all, I wanted more.
Thus began my story with The Kansas Collection, the epic, sprawling immersive tale where The Speakeasy Society brought the stories of the Land of Oz to life.
Three years is a long time.
Especially when it comes in terms of immersive shows, three years is practically unheard of for how long it takes for a story to play out. But The Kansas Collection is different. Taking cues from episodic television shows and video games, The Speakeasy Society has spent the last three years telling the story of what happened to Oz AFTER the Wizard left and Dorothy clicked her heels while chanting “There’s no place like home.”
And last night, they finally had a chance to show us how it all ended with THE PORTAL.
Much like any series finale, The Speakeasy Society had to use this show to tie up all the loose ends and lingering questions from the series, making sure the ending fit with what had come before. I will admit, I was a little nervous going into the show about how things were going to wrap up, but by the time THE PORTAL ended, I was extremely happy with the conclusion.
The whole premise of THE PORTAL involved Queen Ozma opening the largest portal ever attempted to march her Armed Militia through to take over Kansas. However, there were opposing forces, though scant, trying to stop her. The lines in the sand had be drawn, and with both sides of Ozma (residing in Phil and Phoebe Daring) at the height of their magical power, the showdown was sure to be epic.
And epic it was! I am constantly amazed at how The Speakeasy Society is able to take such a large roster of characters (such as those present last night), and make sure each one gets their own, special moment. While the last four chapters of The Kansas Collection were smaller, more intimate affairs, THE PORTAL was an hour and a half ride that gave everyone a chance to shine.
After an opening scene that set the stage for a showdown between siblings for the fate of Oz and Kansas, our group was split into smaller factions, each with their own individual agendas. I was brought along with General Jo Files, who had just captured Phil Daring, and was taking him for questioning. What followed was a fantastic scene where the three actors really had their chance to shine. Zan Headley’s General Jo Files went through a turning point in the previous chapter, where his loyalty was tested to the extreme when he realized the Queen didn’t really care about him, just her master plan. During THE PORTAL, Headley got to show his range again, going from loyal foot solider to questioning his own allegiance. You could see his internal struggle playing out behind his eyes, as he tried to come to terms with what he should do.
Matthew Bamberg-Johnson’s Phil Daring has really stepped up here. Ever since Chapter One, Phil has always been seen as the ‘weaker’ of the Daring siblings, unsure of himself and not confident in his abilities. Watching him transform from that into someone who really embodied his role of leader, with his newfound powers, has been a fantastic journey to watch. During THE PORTAL, he stepped up and took control of the situation, giving the Patchwork Resistance a leader they could truly get behind. Watching Bamberg-Johnson’s struggle to fit into this role has always been impressive, with his Phil going back and forth about truly embracing it, and it was great to see it come full circle here.
The former Wizard himself, Oscar Diggs, as played by John McCormick, has had one hell of a character arc throughout the series as well. He started as a drunken, broken shell of a man, a far cry from his former position as Oz the great and powerful. But over the ten chapters, McCormick truly transformed the character into a man looking for his redemption. After the events of Chapter Five, he became emboldened by his decision to do the right thing, and McCormick’s performance throughout has been a constant joy to watch. Oscar may no longer be the Wizard of Oz, but McCormick’s portrayal of him has always been magical.
My favorite scene of the evening was an emotional roller coaster from my three favorite characters: The Tin Man, Tik Tok, and Jack Pumpkinhead. These three have had quite the relationship over the course of the series, and to see it come to a head during THE PORTAL really affected me.
I’ve already spoken at length before about James Cowan’s Tin Man, and how his performance has always impressed me. When he had my group alone during THE PORTAL, he showed us a vulnerable side of himself that we haven’t seen too much of before. His monologue, musing on the fear of death and what he wants for himself, was incredible. Listening to him wax poetic about his past actions, and how they have weighed on his soul, really made me change my mind completely about a character I once loathed, but now took pity upon. That’s some real powerful acting.
It wasn’t look before Michael Bates’ Jack Pumpkinhead and Nikhil Pai’s Tik Tok joined the scene. These three all have a shared misery, having witnessed the accidental death of Dorothy at the Tin Man’s hands, and it was clear that the bad blood was still evident between them. I won’t spoil how the scene itself plays out, but it was an incredibly emotional few moments, the conclusion of which really hit me hard. What could have likely been very hokey in lesser skilled actor’s hands, the trio of Cowan, Bates, and Pai really pulled off this tense and powerful section with such talent that I couldn’t help but get a bit choked up. Really, massive kudos to the three of them for making this scene stand out, not just in THE PORTAL, but as a definite highlight of the entire Kansas Collection series.
Though I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Natalie Fryman’s Glinda the Good Witch (turned militant leader), she had her shining moments during THE PORTAL. I can’t say much again as to not spoil some things, but I am always impressed with Fryman’s commitment to Glinda’s resolve. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing, even when others may not agree with her.
Genevieve Gearhart’s Queen Ozma gets to go full Disney villainess here, complete with evil, cackling laughter, and it is a true delight. Seriously, Disney needs to hire her to play a bad-guy in an animated film or something, because she is right up there with the best of them. She embodies the role with such evil glee that it’s somethings hard NOT to root for her to win. Gearhart is also quite adept at improv also, as there were a few hilarious, unplanned exchanges between her and General Files on a stairwell when things did not go quite as planned.
I won’t say much about Deirdre Lyons’ role in all this, as to not give anything away. But I can that she is always phenomenal in every immersive show I see her in, and it’s no different here. Well done, Deirdre.
One of the downsides of a show with so many moving parts like this is that there is no way you will be able to see how everyone’s story plays out. Such was the case with the Cowardly Lion and Lavender Pip, as expertly played by Jessica Rosilyn and Chynna Skye (which is a shame because I really enjoyed those characters!). Though I spent a few brief moments with them both during the opening scene, I did not get to witness who their story played out for the end. However, from what I hear from others who did, it was a fitting conclusion for both of their characters…and one I am anxious to try to get back to see for myself!
It was only fitting that, since he was our first introduction into this world, Lyman would be our very last as well. John Henningsen has acted as our conduit between the worlds and has provided some wonderful comic relief throughout the series. Henningsen’s Lyman has always brought a smile to my face, even in the darkest of times within the story. And though our final moments with him were happy ones, it was still a hard moment to swallow, since it would be our last.
Of course, none of those would have been possible without the behind the scenes talents of Artisitic Director Julianne Just, Associate Artistic Director Chris Porter, and Production Manager Andrew Lia. All three kept the show running smoothly and are the unsung heroes of The Kansas Collection.
THE PORTAL was a very fitting and very emotionally satisfying conclusion that we, as audience members, have been building toward for the past three years. Over the course of these ten chapters, we’ve become attached to these characters; we’ve joined them in their causes, we’ve chosen sides, we’ve shared in their triumphs, we’re hurt through their failures, and we’ve cried at their losses. We’ve gotten to know them, just as they have gotten to know us. And I think one of the biggest things that makes that work is that not only have we lived with these characters for so long, but so have the actors.
Shows come and go, and actors inhabit a role for a few weeks before they move on. But The Kansas Collection has allowed each of their actors to really grow and change with their characters. They have gotten into their heads, they have gotten to know them, and they have really made them come to life. The true heart and soul of the entire series are these people, and has never been a weak link among them.
THE PORTAL is a wonderful tour de force, and a fantastically fitting ending to The Kansas Collection story. It hit all the right notes, and really brought the characters’ arcs home in such a fantastic way. This is not only how immersive theater should be done, but also how to make an epic finale (as evidence by the rousing round of applause at the conclusion of the opening night performance).
Look, I’m not going to lie, I’ve been anxiously anticipating this show for weeks now. The Kansas Collection is by far my favorite, overall immersive theater experience. I’ve loved the story, the characters, and everything about it since day one. I’ve loved the story I lived as a member of the Patchwork Resistance. I’ve loved being part of this world. I’ve loved how much work and heart and soul they have put into it. I really can’t thank The Speakeasy Society enough for not only creating it, but also allowing me to play in it with them.
At the end of the day, it didn’t matter what side of the conflict we were on, it didn’t matter what choices we made, it didn’t matter if there was a right or a wrong answer. What mattered is that we made the best decisions we could, and we did so because we thought it was right.
This story has really meant a lot to me. And maybe this is a little cheesy, but it’s also brought my family together in a whole different way. Sure, we’ve taken our son to immersive shows before, but he’s never talked about any of them as excitedly as he has about The Kansas Collection. We have loved getting into the car on the ride home to trade stories, about what we have seen and what we thought it meant. It’s brought us closer together, and it’s all because of the magic they have created. It saddened me a bit that last night’s drive home, talking about the events of THE PORTAL, was the last time we’d be able to do that about with the world of Oz.
The Kansas Collection has shown me the power of not just immersive theater, but storytelling overall. And though it may be at its end, I will forever treasure the memories that were created in the Land of Oz. Congratulations to The Speakeasy Society for an amazingly epic adventure.
For Oz. Forever.
THE PORTAL runs now through June 8th in Los Angeles, CA. Admission is $80-$100, depending on if you are a new recruit or a veteran. For tickets and more info, visit them online at: www.speakeasysociety.com
