Maine West’s ‘The Wiz’ opens Friday

Maine West High School Fine Arts students and staff will entertain audiences with “The Wiz,” in five performances opening to general audiences Friday, Feb. 25.

Show time is 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 25-26 and March 4-5.

The stage version of “The Wiz” is a modern interpretation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved story about Dorothy and her adventures in Oz. It is different, however, from both the film version of “The Wiz” and the Judy Garland film of “The Wizard of Oz,” because the characters more closely follow the original story, said Maine West Fine Arts teacher and Director Carla Skiba.

“The students are having a lot of fun playing Munchkins and Kalidahs, Winkies and Quadlings … wonderful fantasy characters that are larger than life,” Skiba said.

“The musical won seven Tony awards, including Best Musical, and it is a big, colorful, entertaining show that the audience is sure to enjoy.”

About 75 students are involved in the cast, crew and orchestra. Students auditioned in late November to be a part of the cast or orchestra. Jessica Jacobsen is Dorothy; Kyle Kolling is Lion; Danny O’Hara is Tin Man; Nick Spizzirri is Scarecrow; and Ruben Castro is the Wiz.

In addition to Skiba’s direction, West Fine Arts Chair Patrick Barnett is the producer, Beth Luther is the vocal director, Bernie Gerstmayr is the orchestra director, Chris Jensen is the technical director, Sally Fortier is the costumer and Andrew Waters is the choreographer.

Tickets cost $10 and can be reserved at seatyourself.biz or through the Maine West Fine Arts Department, (847) 803-5895.