Theatre especially for kids: Big Noise Theatre opens The Wizard of Oz Jan. 13

Des Plaines, IL - Big Noise Theatre (BNT) has been serving high quality theatre within the community for nearly 15 years. This January, BNT will be bringing back their Especially for Kids programming with an exciting new take on The Wizard of Oz. Utilizing a volunteer team of professional actors, designers and technicians, this fully realized musical uses a version of the classic tale that has been especially adapted in length and material for young audiences. On top of that, director and choreographer, Jenilee Houghton is dedicated to presenting this story in a new and exciting way.

Houghton will be combining movement, dance and puppetry (as well as a few surprises) to make sure the musical is uniquely new, while ultimately still familiar. "I wanted to stay true to the themes of the story, but I wanted to find ways to tell it differently than what people might know and expect."

One way that Houghton is changing it up is though the diverse and eclectic cast choices. She said, "There's no right answer as to what Dorothy or any other role should look like. Nicholas Roman, our music director, and I chose people who brought life to these characters in ways that surprised and excited us."

Houghton went on to explain her goals when it comes to the whole picture, "I hope to accomplish one of my favorite lessons that one mentor taught me, which is that storytelling should fill all of the senses, but if one of the senses isn't there, then the story should still be understood. In other words, an audience member who can't hear you should understand the story by the life they see in the movements; and an audience member who can't see you should be able to imagine what the story looks like by the energy you're bringing into your vocals."

Nick Roman (music director) spoke about the high quality of the cast; "My favorite part [of the process] has been watching the cast raise the bar higher and higher each day and really making the music their own."

Michael Ross, who plays the Tin Man, spoke about his favorite part of the process. "I've loved exploring the larger than life physicality of the character and being able to do something a little exaggerated and outrageous."

Brent Walker, a BNT board member is playing the Lion. He explained the significance of this show for him; "I've always felt a personal connection with The Wizard of Oz because Dorothy and her friends are misfits. I felt like a misfit growing up. What's magical about their journey is that they each discover that they never really needed what they thought was missing. They had the means to make it through their adventure being just who they were. That message is quite powerful at any age."

BNT's Wizard of Oz runs Jan. 13 - 28 at Prairie Lakes Community Center in Des Plaines. For tickets and more information, visit BigNoise.org.