I'm looking for creative way to stage the cylcone. We have many great ideas, however, I'd love some feedback from anyone who has already done this show, as to how it turned out. Any input would be great!

We also used a house on casters. On one side of the house was the "before the storm" face. On the other was the "post storm" broken down house. We had two Hidden compartments, like closets, which housed two stage hands whose feet could touch the ground. They spun the house, from the inside, from up stage right to down stage left, landing with "after storm" facing the audience. During the storm all lights were killed except for lightning strobes and a disco ball which we spun pretty fast, disorienting the audience and enhancing the spinning sensation for all. We also used storm/wind sounds at a very high level so as to make the audience feel like they where in the storm with the house. The door of the house went straight through from one side of the house wagon to the other, so the actors where never really "In" the house. Dorothy ran "in" to the good side of the house (pre storm) and came out of the "wrecked" house (post storm) It was a real neat effect, and became a key part that every one in the audience talked about after the show. Have fun.

I am diecting the Wizard Of Oz. When Dorothy is being held captive by the witch, she sees her Auntie Em in the crystal ball. Then the Auntie Em image disappears, and in her place is the wicked witch.
I want to project the crystal ball image on the stage so the audience can see what Dorothy is seeing. I would prefilm Auntie Em and the Witch. I am looking for a circular surface to project the image on so it is clear. Is there a special fabric I could cut into the shape of the crystal ball, or is there another surface that would work better. If I close the navy blue curtain, and shine the image on the curtain directly, will that work? Any brainstorms would be great!