Drama Club presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’ this weekend
By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
The East Troy High School Drama Club is presenting “The Wizard of Oz” this weekend.
“It’s the 75th anniversary of the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie and that’s why we chose to do it,” co-director Deb Williamson said.
The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at the High School, 3128 Graydon Ave.
The cast and crew, under the direction of Deb and Phil Williamson, have been practicing for weeks for the musical.
“The cast is fantastic,” Deb said. “Everyone has been working so hard since school began to present this classic family favorite of the Wizard of Oz. We are producing a large-scale production in a small space. There are about 50 students involved in the cast, crew and pit orchestra.”
The size of the production and posed some challenges for the Williamsons and the kids.
“Technically, this is a challenging production with large moving pieces, lots of props and many costume changes,” Deb said. “People are running everywhere to make all of their changes … and it all has to be done quietly and in the dark. The silent show that happens backstage is almost as entertaining as what happens for the audience on stage.”
The cast includes: Dorothy Gale – Hannah Buchholtz, Scarecrow/Hunk – Tyler Fridley, Tin Man/Hickory – Abe Oxley-Hase, Lion/Zeke – Jacob Thoreson, Wizard of Oz/Professor Marvel – Michael Lois, Wicked Witch/Miss Gulch – MaiLei Meyers, Glinda – Alex Schmieden, Auntie Em – Lexi Mitchell and Uncle Henry/Guard – Sean Canavan. Toto is being played by “Lady” who is owned by Linda Huckstep.
Chorus members are: McKenna Farmer, Teagan Oxley-Hase, Grace Christiansen, Jessi Falk, Natalie Mengel, Matt Fox, Austin Felske, Courtney Johnson, Kelli Larsen Marianna Nelson, Brett McAlister, Jordan Paullin, Jared Paullin, Deanna Pogreba, Alisha Reyes, Katrina Schell, Nick Schmieden Ashley Schroepfer and Lindsi Starrett.
The stage manager is Brooke Bartlett. Crewmembers include: Enriko Taccani, Alyssa Pinkert, Saki Kushida, Austin Smith and Josh Marschke.
Musical direction is being provided by Riley Roberson.
Special character make-up and set painting was done by Lexi Mitchell. The set design was created by Phil Williamson and Jack Reinholz
Show times for the musical are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
For more information, call (262) 642-6710.
