Feature article
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Star Museum goes green for ‘All About Oz’ exhibit
By staff report
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The Star Museum in Abingdon, Va., has gone green — emerald green, that is — for its summer installation, “All About Oz.”
“All About Oz,” on exhibit at the museum through Aug. 9 alongside Barter Theatre’s main stage production of “Wizard of Oz,” pays homage to the evolution of L. Frank Baum’s immortal children’s story and the beloved classic film’s 70th birthday.
The exhibition represents a dense trove of over a century and a half of collecting, combining Star Museum’s Weisfeld Collection with treasures from two private Abingdon “Oz” collectors — Dr. Jay Lavigne and Dr. H. Alan Pickrell.
Lavigne, a Johnston Memorial Hospital obstetrics doctor, was introduced to Baum’s book at the age of 10 by his father and has collected ever since. His collection is driven by expensive art pieces, rare Baum editions and magnificent autographs.
Pickrell, an Emory & Henry professor emeritus of speech and theatre, is an annual lecturer for the Popular Culture Conference, regularly published in scholarly journals. He once played The Cowardly Lion in an “Oz” production for Nashville Children’s Theatre, and has been collecting “Oz” memorabilia since second grade.
Weisfeld describes Pickrell’s memorabilia as “exhaustive and eclectic, a Southern Gothic roller coaster ride.”
“But there’s been much cross-pollination between all three collections,” Weisfeld said. “Pickrell and I have been throwing stuff back and forth since I was Munchkin-sized. And Pickrell and Lavigne have likewise traded back and forth for years.
“We’re not only showing original art by D.R. Mullins, but a childhood drawing done by Lavigne’s daughter, Kym — given to Pickrell.”
The museum’s “All About Oz” installation is a bonanza for “Oz” lovers, featuring a rare 78 vintage vinyl of “Over the Rainbow,” backed by Judy Garland singing “(Dear Mr. Gable) You Made Me Love You,” original sheet music and advertising ranging from the film’s first network broadcast to its last.
Cases chart pre-1939 “Oz” in print, early stage renditions and a silent film version, before tracing the film’s evolution and casting choice process.
The exhibit’s display of mass-marketed “Oz” tie-ins is staggering: NASCAR mini-cars, a watch, a Wicked Witch remote control, Christmas ornaments, pewter miniatures, Halloween costumes, kitchen ware, lunch boxes, dolls and figurines, apparel, Dixie Cups, a Band Aid box and even items related to a former tourist attraction, “Land of Oz,” once at Beach Mountain, N.C.
Among Weisfeld’s favorites are Lavigne’s stuffed flying monkey, suspended in Star Museum’s east window; and Pickrell’s Toto bedroom slippers — “the last word in “Oz” collecting” — displayed below Clark Gable’s bathrobe.
“All About Oz” showcases the book’s bibliophilic phenomenon via foreign language editions, beautifully illustrated golden age and contemporary versions, both Marvel and Archie comics, and in genres ranging from cookbook to murder mystery.
Weisfeld has additionally pulled out personal or performance pieces related to Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Billie Burke and Liza Minnelli as well as stars who figured significantly in either 1939 films or Garland’s career trajectory.
The best of these is a black crepe Irene Sharaff dance costume, designed for “A Star is Born,” and shoes worn to the film’s premiere.
Star Museum has had recent visitors from as far away as Ontario and Bolivia — the latter of which were Weisfeld’s first non-English speaking tourists.
“Pop culture,” he said, “turns out to need little translation.”
Star Museum is open from 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, although folks may book private tours before or after public hours, on their day of choice.
“We’re open to all comers,” Weisfeld said. “It’s a true act of generosity for Drs. Pickrell and Lavigne to share beloved treasures with us. And the ‘All About Oz’ story — of Baum, of 1939’s filming, of Judy Garland’s genius and turbulent career, are all nothing short of fascinating.
“If you take nothing else away from it, take away the concept of ‘Why, oh why, can’t I?’ hold onto your dreams.”
Weisfeld is working in conjunction with the Town of Abingdon on a summer “Oz”-inspired tourism plan, which includes a showing of the classic MGM film version at 8:30 p.m., July 11 as part of the town’s “Movies off Main” series.
For more information, call 276-608-7452, e-mail star@eva.org; or leave word on Robert Weisfeld’s Facebook page.
--------GoTriCities--------
“All About Oz”
WHEN: 1-7 p.m., Wed.-Sat, and by appointment, through Sept. 7
WHERE: Star Museum, Abingdon, Va.
COST: Call for prices
CONTACT: 276-608-7452
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