-
White County Middle School will present “The Wizard of Oz” March 23-24 at White County High School’s auditorium this weekend. (Photo/submitted)
White County Middle School Theater invites everyone to join Dorothy as she goes somewhere over the rainbow in a classic production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, the production features music and lyrics from the original MGM Motion Picture Score by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. It is produced with permission from Tams-Witmark and Concord Theatricals.
Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees and winged monkeys.
But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve.”
Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.
Emma Evans, who leads the cast as Dorothy, notes that her fellow performers are one of the best parts about the show.
“There’s so many smiling faces and can do attitudes when I come to practice and we all have had a great time putting on this show,” Evans said.
The large cast of middle school students features sixth grade dance captain Harper Murphy who leads the Lullaby League and Jitterbugs, seventh graders Amelia Brackett, Aden Hill, and River Shack as Wicked Witch, Scarecrow, and Wizard while eighth graders Evans, Nolan Johnson, and Braeden Hardy portray Dorothy, Lion, and Tin Man.
The students are under the direction of drama teacher Lindsey Brackett, with musical direction provided by chorus teacher Paisley Rabern, and choreography by community volunteer Emerald Patterson.
In cooperation with the White County High School Theater Department, the show will be presented in the WCHS Auditorium on March 23 and March 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for general admission and may be purchased online in advance through the WCHS Theater website or at the door each performance night.
“‘The Wizard of Oz’…was one of the best musicals I have ever done” WCMS Drama Club President Brayden Smith said. “There were many setbacks but we pulled through to do something incredible. My favorite scene has to be “The Jitterbug;” the choreography is amazing and the song is so catchy. Mrs. Brackett did an incredible job directing this show and is one of my favorites at White County Middle School.”
Eighth grader and mayor of Munchkinland, Kaiden Howard agrees that this production was an amazing experience.
“Everybody in ‘Wizard of Oz’ was awesome in their own way,” Howard said. “They were all kind and respectful… ‘Wizard of Oz’ might have been my favorite thing to act out of all the others.”
In addition to over thirty young actors, at the helm of the student technical crew is eighth grader Anna Arrington who serves as stage manager.
“I love how every show is different,” Arrington said. “Because it’s live theater you never know what might happen.”
Brackett wished to thank the many parents and community members who provided support for this collaborative production including the White County High School Theater, the Habersham Central Stage Raiders, and the Johnson High School Starry Knight Players.