Palm Springs stage actor lands unexpected role in equity production of 'The Wizard of Oz'

Erik Scott Romney was just a kid in 1996 when he snagged the role of Toto in a Shasta College production of "The Wizard of Oz."

Yes. The dog.

But the Palm Springs-based actor/singer/dancer proved there's no such thing as small roles, and the experience helped him fall in love with performing. Romney went on to study at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, which prepared him for his current career in regional theater.

Romney has performed everywhere from PS Underground to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, and now, he's about to take another walk down Yellow Brick Road — into Long Beach, that is.

Off to see the wizard — again

When Romney's agent submitted him for the role of the Cowardly Lion in a Musical Theatre West summer production of "The Wizard of Oz," the actor didn't even consider another option. When he was cast as the Scarecrow, he was completely shocked.

"Me and my agent had to do a double take because when I saw the email ... I was immediately confused and excited," Romney said. "Because first of all, I just got an offer, and then second of all, there's (just) something bigger and better about the Scarecrow."

Romney never expected the role because the Scarecrow is usually played by someone with a specific body type that he doesn't have. But the director, Paige Price, saw something in him that went beyond stereotypical character definitions.

"I was looking forward to the luxury of the Lion, but the Scarecrow is an honor," Romney said. "I never dreamed of being able to play a role like that."

The audition process

Romney is a member of the Actors Equity Association, a labor union for theater actors and stage managers. Because he's in the union, he doesn't have to attend open call auditions where you hope for "a chance to be seen."

"There's a certain method that the union uses, and I kind of expedite the process," Romney said. "My agent submits me for a role specifically, and in this case, it was the Lion."During the initial audition, not all of the creatives are there, and you might only see a casting director and a producer, Romney said. But when you come for the final call, all of the people who are in charge of putting the show together are in the room, which includes the director.

"It's always the most terrifying feeling walking into that room," Romney said. "But that's showtime, and you just walk in and your natural instincts take over."

He said it took over a week after the final "The Wizard of Oz" audition for Romney to hear back from production. The wait was nerve-racking, but once he got the offer, he was thrilled.

From the Lion to the Scarecrow

Bren Thor is the associate producer for Musical Theatre West, the Long Beach-based company that stages Broadway-caliber musicals such as "The Wizard of Oz." He is involved in many aspects of production, which includes costumes, sets and casting.

Thor said that during auditions, Romney made it to the final three choices for the Lion, which surprised him because Romney doesn't fit the usual casting for the role — just like he didn't fit the Scarecrow stereotype. The Lion is typically casted as "a big dude" with a large presence, he said.

Romney did all his audition readings for the Lion, and when he did a reading with the other characters in the musical, Thor said Romney's ability to uplift the group was really impressive.

"Erik is one of those people that ignites other people and elevates them and the energy in a scene to really propel it forward," Thor said. "So when we were looking at the trio and laying it all out it, we needed someone who could do that and he was the perfect person for it."

Thor said casting Romney as the Scarecrow took some time because the casting process is always evolving. It's about putting pieces together and making sure they match. Those pieces included the Lion, the Tin-Man, the Scarecrow and Dorothy.

The Scarecrow is a vital role, he said, because it's the character the audience spends the second-most time with after Dorothy. He is also the first friend Dorothy meets in the land of Oz.

"In casting that role, you have to cast someone that will carry the energy throughout the entire show," Thor said. "We needed someone who could bounce off of her (Dorothy) and could elevate the rest of the group."

"His energy and creativity with his choices are definitely going to stand out," he added. "I'm so excited to see what he does, and I have a feeling that it will be different every night."

Seeking opportunities in and out of the desert

Romney was born in Palm Springs, but also lived in Northern California while growing up. He moved back to Palm Springs during middle school, and as an adult, spent time performing theater in Los Angeles and Orange County. He's bounced back and forth between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, but very much considers himself a desert native.

"I decided about three years ago to leave Los Angeles again and just live where I liked the day-to-day because living in L.A. is tough," Romney said. "I was born in Palm Springs, so I wanted to put my roots back down here."

Romney is fond of the desert and is grateful for the people who supported him throughout his career. One of them is Derrik Lewis, who produced and a hosted a show called "Musical Chairs" in Palm Springs. That was one of the first paying jobs he landed at the age of 16.

"He would bring in all the greats and locals and give them an opportunity to perform. That's where I learned all my material," Romney said. "I've gotten an eclectic taste in music and I've got a broad range of it because of my exposure to people that have been doing this for a very long time and Derrick Lewis is one of them."

When it comes to theater in Palm Springs, Romney wishes there were more "equity theaters," aka organizations producing shows specifically for union performers, because it would up the caliber of local performances. He's glad to see there is work for retired professionals in the desert, but hopes the future brings more opportunities for working local professionals.

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He's also an advocate behind the fundraising efforts to restore the historic Plaza Theatre, and volunteers his time there every Tuesday. The possibility of having a new venue to perform at, and the other opportunities it could bring, excites him.

"I'm trying to get my roots down here and advocate for the betterment of entertainment in the desert because there was a lot of opportunity when I was growing up here, and I feel like it's just kind of spread out now," Romney said.

If you go

What: Musical Theatre West presents "The Wizard of Oz"

When: July 7-23 (check website for specific days and times)

Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach

Tickets: $23-$89

More info: musical.org

Kevin Caparoso is a features intern who covers arts and life around the Coachella Valley. His internship is funded by the Coachella Vally Journalism Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @kevydean or email him at KCaparoso@gannet.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs performer cast in equity 'The Wizard of Oz' production