Ease on down, Cary-Grove

Some of the most well-known characters in popular culture include Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz."

The cast of characters has left the countryside behind in the upcoming production of "The Wiz" at Cary-Grove High School -- but according to director Rob Boncosky, the story loses none of the charm.

In fact, it gains a character.

"The story is very similar," Boncosky said.

"There is one additional good witch.

"She is the first witch that Dorothy meets in Munchkin Land. She's the one who actually says 'Follow the yellow brick road.'"

The show, which originally premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was made into a movie in 1978, is an urban retelling of the classic, complete with flying monkeys played by the school's hockey team on inline skates.

"It's fun because everyone knows the story, but its not 'The Wizard of Oz,'" Boncosky said.

"It's the story, but it's different music, a little more contemporary. It's a fun twist on a classic."

"Ease On Down the Road" was the biggest hit from the stage musical, and a film version was made starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.

Boncosky has a long history with the show.

In his senior year at Crystal Lake Central High, he performed in the school's production.

When he became a teacher at Cary-Grove High School, he chose "The Wiz" as his first production there.

"Fifteen years later I felt like it was time to do it one more time, because I thought I had all the right kids for the parts," Boncosky said.

One of those students is Chris Eckert, 18, of Cary who portrays the Tin Man. Like the other cast members, Chris grew up with "The Wizard of Oz," but finds "The Wiz" more to his liking.

"I really like 'The Wiz' because it's more funky," Chris said.

"You can get into it a lot more than 'The Wizard of Oz' movie."

Comparing the two adaptations, Chris thinks "The Wizard of Oz" is more detail oriented, compared with the lighter "Wiz."

"It's a fun time," he said. "With 'The Wiz,' you get the best of both worlds. It's a good time, it's entertaining and you also get the story end of it."

Senior Monica Remes, 18, plays the Wiz, a part she would almost certainly not be considered for in the traditional telling.

"Its really cool. For the Wiz, you can be a male or female," Monica said.

Senior Jake Lange, 18, of Cary is the Cowardly Lion; Jake was hoping for the part when he auditioned, because of his vocal range.

"There's not a lot of roles that are bass baritone except for the Lion, so I was happy and lucky to get it," he said.

Aside from the vocal attributes, the Lion has been a challenging character to play, said Lange, who attended Cary-Grove's first production of "The Wiz" at age 3.

Jake found his costume helped him find his character.

"I looked so much not like myself, it was weird for me to look in the mirror and talk, " he explained.

"I was having trouble with the character until I saw myself in the costume and was able to get the physicality down."

Kaitlyn Barrett is 16 and a junior, and like most everyone has a very soft spot for Dorothy.

"It's every little girl's dream to play Dorothy," she said.

The famous ruby slippers that Dorothy wears as a talisman throughout her Oz experience were a source of delight for Kaitlyn.

She feels so strongly about the ruby slippers that her mom bought them for the production so that Kaitlyn can keep them as a remembrance.

But ruby slippers aren't all that draws Kaitlyn to the character.

"I love Dorothy," she said. "She's very much a dreamer and she's very innocent. Over time she learns that home is inside her all along. That's a lot to learn for a little girl."

With the cast ready to follow the yellow brick road, Boncosky was faced with the daunting task of staging the show.

"The story of 'The Wizard of Oz' is the story of Dorothy on a journey -- that means you're in a lot of different places."

Boncosky turned to technical director Chris West, a former student of Boncosky's who returned to the school after graduating from college with a degree in technical theater.

West has impressed everyone with his vision.

"Kansas is going to be black and white," Barrett said.

"When she's in Munchkinland she's in colors."

The effect is achieved with the help of a sea-foam filter, which, along with the costumes and scenery seems to cast the stage in all black and white, according to Kaitlyn.

The production itself feels like home to Boncosky.

"Almost all of the production team are District 155 graduates," he said. "One of my costumers is, my production assistant is, I am, my choreographer and the wig and makeup designer."

If you go

What: Cary-Grove High School's production of "The Wiz"

Where: The school auditorium, 2208 Three Oaks Road

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, March 14 and 15; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. March 13

Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students and children

Call: (847) 639-3825