Wizard of Oz Musical Performed at Lake Zurich School
Click your heels! We're not in Kansas anymore.
Lake Zurich Middle School South presents the musical Wizard of Oz, November 17th, 18th and 19th. A cast and crew of 111 students, and a little dog, too, recreate the classic 1939 MGM film on stage.
Dorothy (played by Jasmine Mirabelli) and her dog Toto (Moriah) survive a tornado that strikes their Kansas farm only to find themselves mysteriously transported to the enchanted Land of Oz far from home. Dorothy discovers her farm house landed on and killed the wicked witch who ruled the Land of the Munchkins. With encouragement from Glinda, the Good Witch of the North (Kristen Freeman) and a chorus of grateful Munchkins, Dorothy follows the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the great and powerful Wizard of Oz (John Venetos) and seek his aid in returning home to Kansas. Along the way Dorothy befriends a Scarecrow (Kaitlin Mitchell) in search of a brain, Tin Man (Sydney Mathis) who longs for a heart, and Lion (Paige Savarese) desperately in need of some courage. Eventually they find heart, brains and courage as they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West (Mara Nasui) who was intent on avenging the death of her sister, the witch crushed by Dorothy's wind-tossed house. Belatedly, Dorothy learns she always had the power to go home by simply clicking her ruby slippered heels together three times while repeating, “There's no place like home.”
The audience will want to sing along as the cast performs familiar songs from the movie. As Dorothy and her companions travel from Kansas through the enchanted Land of Oz, they sing such memorable songs as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, “We're off to See the Wizard”, “If I Only Had a Brain”, and “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead”.
Since August, Middle School South students along with their teachers and volunteer parents built sets, sewed costumes and rehearsed the musical. Jacqui Heinemann, Middle School South's drama teacher, directs the show with help from Kelly Harper (musical director), Jennifer Foreman (production), Kathy and Toni Mirabelli (choreography), Brad Mundschenk (stage craft), Ron Polomchak (orchestra director) and Kim Warren (costumes).
Cast and crew members are excited to show off their technicolored costumes and amazing special effects. “It's been like one big happy family putting together a fun show like the Wizard of Oz,” said Kaitlin Mitchell. “You get out what you put into the show,” added her sister and fellow actor, Allie Mitchell, commenting on how all the hard work is now paying off with terrific onstage performances.
The show will be performed in the school auditorium, 435 West Cuba Road, Lake Zurich. Performances are 7:00 pm on November 17th (Thursday) and 18th (Friday); doors open 6:30 pm. An additional matinee will be performed 2:00 pm on November 19th (Saturday); doors open 1:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/children. For ticket requests or additional information, email mssmusical@lz95.org.