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BROADALBIN – The Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School Drama Club production of “The Wizard of Oz” will run this week. Performances will be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 6:20 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
“Coming out of COVID and the pandemic this is such a feelgood and uplifting, happy show, that we thought the community would really enjoy,” said the productions co director Michael Ott. “We thought it would be a good way to get a lot of kids involved, we thought it would be a great way to get elementary students involved as well to make it as big of a show as possible for our community. It’s a positive message, and it’s just fun for the community and the kids.”
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. Tickets are available for reserved seating (rows B-K) and general admission (rows L-Z and balcony). Reserved seating tickets are $10 for adults and $9 for seniors and students 13 or younger. General admission tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for seniors and students 13 and younger. Seating for general admission ticket holders is on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The Wizard of Oz” is based on the 1900 book written by L. Frank Baum. His original story led to his 14 book series, which inspired the 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland, the popular Broadway musical “Wicked,” and countless other stage and screen adaptations.
“Our kids design and they paint all the sets, they’ve been here on weekends working, they pour everything into this production,” Ott said. “Our kids are leaders in the program, our stage manager is a student, we have students who teach the vocals, we have students who run the tec, they work so hard.”
The musical has about 80 students involved from first grade through 12th grade. A number of elementary students play munchkins in the production.
“I think theater is a great opportunity for kids to show a new side of themselves that they don’t always get to explore in the classroom,” Ott said. “The more support we have from our community the more the kids love it, it helps them grow as individuals as well as learners.”
The musical “The Wizard of Oz” tells the story of Dorothy whose house is caught in a storm and brings her home to Oz, a magical land full of unique people and characters. Dorothy becomes the enemy of the Wicked Witch of the West, and makes friends with the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow on her journey to discover “There’s no place like home.”
Senior and student director Lillian Faulkner plays the Wicked Witch of the West.
“It’s really really fun, it’s been hectic, and it’s crazy, we do so much,” Faulkner said. “Our program is practically student-run, our sets are built by students, the choreography is done by students. I taught a lot of the songs, which was a lot of fun.”
No one has ever seen this production the way this group is performing it, Faulkner said.
“When you watch this show, you feel like you’re a part of it,” said freshman Christiana Park, who plays Dorothy. “It’s a great show, and the cast and crew are all so amazing.”
Contact Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @_natasha_7
