'Wizard of Oz' star adjusting to MTV, stage successes

Photo by Joan Marcus, Special to the News Sentinel

Dorothy and friends (from left, Adam Jepsen, Cassie Okenka, Jesse Coleman and Peter Gosik) in “The Wizard of Oz,” coming to Knoxville Dec. 11 and 12.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Dorothy and friends (from left, Adam Jepsen, Cassie Okenka, Jesse Coleman and Peter Gosik) in “The Wizard of Oz,” coming to Knoxville Dec. 11 and 12.

While actress Cassie Okenka was never swept away in a tornado and transported to a magical land with talking tin men or wicked witches, she's seeing her own version of Oz.

In 2008, a 22-year-old Okenka went from being a normal college student to an overnight sensation on an MTV reality show. A year later, she was hurtled into the lead role of a nationally touring Broadway production. So, it's only fitting that her first starring role would be as the classic character Dorothy Gale in a new production of "The Wizard of Oz," which will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at the Tennessee Theatre.

After making it into the top 10 on MTV's "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods," which had actresses compete for a part in the Broadway version of the Reese Witherspoon movie, Okenka said the experience of seeing how she compared to other actresses in her field was eye-opening.

"It was an interesting experience. I was thrown into it," said the actress from Toledo, Ohio.

From the popular show, Okenka was transported next to the casting call for a nationally touring production of "The Wizard of Oz." Okenka said playing the character is a "fun challenge."

"It's a really interesting thing to have as an actor," she said. "Judy Garland created the character, so I can't stray too far."

Okenka said she tries to take what she remembers from the movie and use it in the role.

"I try to keep her as innocent and naive, in the best way possible," she said.

Okenka said that while the touring show is a faithful adaptation of the 1939 MGM film version, the show has seen some tweaks here and there to keep it fresh for a new generation.

"It's more modernized," said Okenka.

For instance, she said the Cowardly Lion's part is "a little more fun" and will occasionally reference popular movies.

Okenka, who just graduated from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in May 2008, is still adjusting to the frantic touring lifestyle. The touring company will travel to 43 states in North America and do a few shows in Canada.

"It's definitely a challenge," she said. "It's not for everybody. It's nice to see what makes America tick and see all the states."

Stephen Woodward is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

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