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* From Bernie…
The sixth biennial “Capitol Capers” promises to once again show us unknown talents that lurk, often undetected, under the Statehouse dome.
The show is a fundraiser for the Conference of Women Legislators.
State Rep. KAREN MAY, D-Highland Park, co-producer with Rep. SARA FEIGENHOLTZ, D-Chicago, has hinted at what’s to be seen. Written once again by Chicago scribes RHONA and JULIAN FRAZIN, the theme is based on “The Wizard of Oz,” with a legislative freshman lifted by a Midwestern tornado into Emerald City, also known as Springfield. […]
COWL provides 10 to 12 $2,500 scholarships annually to women of all ages
The show starts this Wednesday at 6:30. Cocktails begin at 5:30. I’ll have a bit more for subscribers tomorrow.
* The Question: Which Illinois politicians or political players would you cast as the wizard, tin-man, lion, scarecrow, the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch, Dorothy and Toto? Any others?
And take it easy, people. Let’s not go overboard here. It’s supposed to be fun. Also, killjoys should find someplace else to comment.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 9, 11 @ 5:05 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Rahm Emanuel and the Statehouse
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I think Quinn has the scarecrow role locked down.
Comment by Angry Republican Monday, May 9, 11 @ 6:28 am
Wizard: Mike Madigan
Tin Man: Senator Cullerton
Scarecrow: Pat Brady
Cowardly Lion: Gov Quinn
Dorothy: Lisa Madigan
Good Witch: Sheila Simon
Bad Witch: Judy Barr Topinka
Toto: Illinois Taxpayers
Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 9, 11 @ 7:09 am
Wensicia - you nailed them all! Of course the scarecrow part could be filled by most any of them if Brady has to miss his role…
Comment by Roadiepig Monday, May 9, 11 @ 8:08 am
Glinda - Linda Holmes
Wicked Witch - Sara Feigenholtz
Dorothy - Ann Williams
Wizard - Bill Celini
Tin Man - Don Harmon
Scarecrow - Pat Quinn
Lion - Marty Sandoval
Toto - Dan Rutherford
Auntie Em - Dawn Clark Netch
Comment by phocion Monday, May 9, 11 @ 8:21 am
Any talk of the wicked witch of the west begins and ends with Dawn Clark Netsch.
Comment by WhyMe Monday, May 9, 11 @ 8:32 am
I liked Wensicia’s list but I’d make one change:
Good Witch: Julie Hamos
The Capers is a great show, seen it twice and both times the targets were clear and present!
Comment by Mongo Monday, May 9, 11 @ 8:44 am
What about Munchkins?
Comment by JustaJoe Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:05 am
What Wensicia said, except cast Blagojevich as Toto.
Comment by TJ Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:05 am
It’s not a big enough part, but I can really see Blago in a flying monkey suit.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:08 am
Wizard: Quinn. If you’ll recall, the Great Oz was not all-powerful. A good-hearted gent, but a lot of bluster.
Scarecrow: Bill Brady.
Lion: Senate Republicans. Get some courage.
Tin Man: Tea Party.
Toto: Public employees. Like Toto, they’re the ones who caused all our problems with their pensions, right?
Wicked Witch of the West: Civic Committee and Americans for Prosperity. A lot of dark, scary talk, but it doesn’t amount to much in the end.
Dorothy. Citizens. Eventually, they’re the ones who are going to have to work it all out.
Glinda: The voice of reason in all of our heads.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:18 am
The Wicked Witch of the West(ern suburbs) would be Rosemary Mulligan.
The Good Witch: Karen May
The Scarecrow: Tom Cross
Comment by reformer Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:21 am
Since we’re coming to the end of the Daley Era, I’m casting with Chicago in mind:
Wizard: Richard M. Daley
Tin Man: Ed Burke
Scarecrow: Bernard Stone
Cowardly Lion: Todd Stroger
Dorothy: Rahm Emanuel
Good Witch: Toni Preckwinkle
Bad Witch: Tony Peracia
Toto: Quaxelrod
Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:22 am
Wensicia nailed the last half of his casting (strangely, all women plus the taxpayers). Wordslinger got the other half.
That makes:
Wizard: Quinn
Tin Man: Tea Party
Scarecrow: Bill Brady
Cowardly Lion: Senate Republicans
Dorothy: Lisa Madigan
Good Witch: Sheila Simon
Bad Witch: Judy Barr Topinka
Toto: Illinois Taxpayers
And just because I doubt I’ll see him pop up anywhere else, I’d like to nominate Aaron Schock for the role of the Cowardly Lion’s understudy. If there’s anyone who needs to find some courage on the Illinois political scene, it’s that guy.
Comment by Colossus Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:28 am
No, no, Julie Hamos = bad witch…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:42 am
“…the Cowardly Lion’s understudy.”
lol Well, he did just pop up and announced his new campaign to help Americans “Get Fit”. Am I the only who’s quickly tiring of these guys working so hard to bring us “culture” and insist that we “tone our abs”? I thought that was being handled already quite nicely by others.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 9, 11 @ 9:56 am
For the sake of the IL GOP, let’s hope that at least Rutherford is still grounded enough to play the role of the Wizard. Otherwise, our generation is doomed.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 9, 11 @ 10:07 am
Just an observation that SIU President Glen Poshard LOOKS remarkably like the wizard.
Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Monday, May 9, 11 @ 11:31 am
Maybe Rep. Feigenholtz should be more focused on producing an actual human services budget.
Comment by Seriously??? Monday, May 9, 11 @ 11:40 am
Is the flying monkeys the Madigoons?
Comment by Freight Train Monday, May 9, 11 @ 11:48 am
===Also, killjoys should find someplace else to comment===
Seriously.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, May 9, 11 @ 11:51 am
I don’t think Judy Barr Topinka should be cast as the bad witch. And, let’s not get stuck in gender based roles.
Bad Witch - all those who aren’t working for the common good but are out for personal gain.
Male Dorothy/DorQuinn - Quinn
Good witch - Lisa
Wizard - Madigan
Comment by Bonsaso Monday, May 9, 11 @ 11:57 am
The Munchkins are the Mushrooms, naturally, but I would suggest the lobbyists are the scary flying monkeys of Springfield/Oz. Those monkey still creep me out.
Now, let’s sync this thread up with Dark Side of the Moon.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, May 9, 11 @ 12:04 pm
Any Public pension recipient could play the role of the scarecrow because these individuals have been the “straw man” for larger state financial problems for a few years now.
Quinn is fairly cast as the cowardly lyin’
Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, May 9, 11 @ 12:27 pm
Bad Witch has to be Bill Brady. She always wanted to kill Toto and we know all about Bill Brady and puppies!
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, May 9, 11 @ 12:52 pm
I’m going with a Southern Illinois bent to this question, with out much reasoning other than the visual of these men and women in the roles assigned.
Wizard: Marion Mayor Bob Butler
Tin Man: Glen Poshard
Scarecrow: Gary Forby
Cowardly Lion: Dave Luectefeld
Dorothy: Jak Tichnor
Good Witch: Sheila Simon
Bad Witch: Brad Cole
Toto: Mike Bost
Comment by John A Logan Monday, May 9, 11 @ 12:58 pm
Wizard: Mike Madigan
Tin Man & Scarecrow: lobbyists & staffers (they might pretend to take a back seat, but they give lots of directions)
Cowardly Lion: Gov Quinn
Dorothy: any freshmen Rep
Good Witch: Senator Cullerton
Bad Witch: Bill Brady (see above comment)
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, May 9, 11 @ 12:59 pm
The brainless scarecrow should be played by all those on this blog who are doing the cheap misinformed drive-bys of public employees.
I ignored the first one but couldn’t pass on the next one.
I think Rich said, “It’s supposed to be fun. Also, killjoys should find someplace else to comment.”
Comment by Irish Monday, May 9, 11 @ 1:01 pm
whoever asked about who plays the Munchkins…the House and Senate membership, of course.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, May 9, 11 @ 1:03 pm
Wensicia nail it.! Shucks.
Comment by mokenavince Monday, May 9, 11 @ 1:17 pm
Rod Blagojevich could be a “Flying Monkey”.
Does he still count as a politician?
Comment by Rubicon Monday, May 9, 11 @ 1:24 pm
PQ as the Wizard, as others have pointed out the wizard was not powerful except in his own mind, he was more bumbling. All smoke, curtains, and mirrors.
Chrisitne Radogno as the wicked witch. Does everything she can to keep you from getting where you want to go.
JBT as the good witch. She politely tells you how to get where you want to go. She has a plan for getting you there.
Tom Cross as the lion. Growls and gruffs, and obstructs, but when put on the spot does not stand up and take the point on progressing.
John Cullerton as the scarecrow, sometimes he has a brain other times not.
Mike Madigan as the Tin man. He has no heart.
The citizens of Illinois as Dorothy, we just want to get to a place of stability and safety.
The bureaucrats, hacks, and leftovers from Blago years as the flying monkeys. Out for themselves, will take anything not nailed down.
The Tea Party as Toto, a lot of yappin and no real help.
Our children and generations to come as the Munchkins. They are hoping that those in power will leave the state in good enough shape that they have a future.
Comment by Irish Monday, May 9, 11 @ 1:55 pm
I believe the excerpt says that the premise is that Dorothy is a freshman lawmaker.
I’d give the gig to Anne Williams, who’s got the freckles to pull it off.
I think if you said “Wicked Leprechaun of the West,” everyone would know who you meant. And besides, he’s the only one with Minions, and who wouldn’t like to see Shaw Decremer with a little busboy cap and tiny flying monkey wings?
I guess that makes Cullerton Glenda and Quinn The Wizard of Oz.
I’d actually cast Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as lobbyists.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 9, 11 @ 2:24 pm
–Now, let’s sync this thread up with Dark Side of the Moon.–
Can’t do it. That would just be a gateway for chemo patients to indulge their reefer madness. For kicks.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 9, 11 @ 2:26 pm
I enjoyed “Pot calling kettle”’s list.
I like the idea of President Cullerton (Glinda) sending the freshmen (Dorothy) on an errand to see the Speaker (Wizard) even though he already has the answer. And I like the idea of the Speaker giving the freshmen a task to do, even though he already has the solution to their problem.
Under this senario, the Governor would be the Wicked Witch who may trip up their mission.
Comment by Majority of Me Monday, May 9, 11 @ 2:51 pm
“Shaw Decremer with a little busboy cap and tiny flying monkey wings”
If somebody puts that image on a t-shirt, I’ll take one.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 9, 11 @ 2:54 pm
“Dorothy: Lisa Madigan
Toto: Illinois Taxpayers”
:(
I do not appreciate being petted like I’m some sort of animal.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:34 pm
Wizard: Rich Miller
Tin Man: John Bambenek
Scarecrow: Todd
Cowardly Lion: Anonymous
Dorothy: Amalie
Good Witch: girllawyer
Bad Witch: Small Town Liberal
Toto: Yellow Dog Democrat
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:44 pm
Careful, Cincy. You had better not be talking about THIS Anonymous.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:48 pm
==Rod Blagojevich could be a “Flying Monkey”.==
Not bad, but I think I would call him “the tornado”. Look at the at the cost(in billions) his destructive behavior left behind.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:49 pm
Oh Dear. Hope I didn’t scare the poor thing away.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:53 pm
Whoops, sorry for the double “at the”.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:54 pm
Colussus’ conglomeration is my favorite, with one important addition: Rod B. as the tornado that lifted Dorothy’s house and flung it into the land of Oz.
Comment by courtly Monday, May 9, 11 @ 3:57 pm
Irish thoroughly nailed it. Dukes to you.
Comment by Bitterman Monday, May 9, 11 @ 4:20 pm
Another choice for bad witch, Public School Teachers, it’s all our fault, right?
Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 9, 11 @ 4:23 pm
Could Quinn be the horse of a different color?
(and due to my moniker-Happy Birthday, Billy Joel)
Comment by waitress practing politics... Monday, May 9, 11 @ 5:33 pm
Wensica: ==Scarecrow: Pat Brady==
Everyone, including me when I copied your recommendations onto facebook, must have read Bill Brady.
Comment by Timmeh Monday, May 9, 11 @ 5:55 pm
==Everyone, including me when I copied your recommendations onto facebook, must have read Bill Brady.==
@Timmeh
Bill Brady is the “Witch of the East”, the one Dorothy’s house fell on. He’s outta the picture!
Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 9, 11 @ 6:00 pm
Huh. He (Pat Brady) wasn’t famous enough to get onto page 1 of google, and I didn’t know who he was.
That said, Republicans need to get cleverer with their names. If any one of the Brady bunch ends their career in scandal, they’ll all be taking a nice retirement from Illinois politics.
Comment by Timmeh Monday, May 9, 11 @ 7:49 pm
I’m thinking Rod B. is the Witch of the East. The House fell on (impeached) him in January 2009. Glinda (the Senate) took his ruby slippers and gave them to Dorothy (Pat Q).
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, May 9, 11 @ 11:18 pm