‘We’re off to see the Wizard … ’
There’s some mighty scary characters in Oz, don’t you know.Singers and dancers and actors, oh my — those Best of Broadway folks are at it again!
Susanville’s Best of Broadway production of “The Wizard of Oz” hits the stage at 7 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 4; 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5; and 2 and 7 p.m. p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Tickets, available at Margie’s Book Nook, Zaengles Floor and Home, the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce and at the door, are $15.
Of course, “The Wizard of Oz” features some of America’s most beloved characters — Dorothy, of course, but don’t forget the Munchkins, the Wicked Witch of the West and Dorothy’s companions in Oz, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. And of course, there’s that loveable furball, Toto.
I attended a special fundraiser dinner performance Wednesday, Aug. 3 at Veterans Memorial Hall, featuring a chicken dinner prepared by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Posse.
Despite some of the usual opening night foibles one can always expect, the show rolled on with some delightful performances.
Ah, Toto — a beautiful, real live pooch who clearly forgot some of the blocking — brought a smile to my face almost every time he (or she?) appeared on stage, but then again, I’m a certified dog lover.
While the familiar Oz yellow brick road cast shined — Adelin McClure as Dorothy, Shannon Hollaway as the Wicked Witch, Bright Cruce as the Lion, Manny LaPorte as the Tinman, and Isaiah Williams as the Wizard — I especially enjoyed Hannah Antonucci’s performance as the Scarecrow.
Glinda, the good witch played by Hannah Johnson, offered an impressive calming presence every time she appeared on stage.
The actors from the Kansas prairie also struck a resounding chord — Annica Scrogin as Dorothy, Jessica Scrogin as Aunt Em, Hollaway as Miss Gulch and Walter Kirklin as Uncle Henry.
The production also featured a new backdrop system using a projector instead of painted backgrounds and improvements to the sound and lighting systems.
According to the Best of Broadway website, “The Wizard of Oz” cast members include:
Act 1 Scene 1-5 /Act 2 Scene 14
Kansas Dorothy: Annica Scrogin; Understudy: Audrey Edholm.
Act 1 Scene 6- Act 2 Scene 13
Oz Dorothy: Adelin McClure; Aunt Em: Jessica Scrogin; Glinda: Hannah Johnson; Understudy: Meranda Devor; Wicked Witch/Miss Gulch: Shannon Hollaway; Understudy: Stephanie Moore; Professor: Elliot Hollaway; Wizard of Oz: Isaiah Williams; Lion/Zeke:Brigit Cruce; Scarecrow/Hunk: Hannah Antonucci; Tinman/Hickory: Manny LaPorte; Oz Guard: Whitley Perkins; Uncle Henry: Shawn Anderson; Munchkinland Mayor: Jameson Wagner; Coroner: Clara Hoffman; Barrister: Bethany Johnson; Braggart: Audrey Edholm; City Fathers: Mattilynn Gibbs, Jaide Gibbs and Rylee Bowen; Tough Guys: Sylas Bock, Maverick Perkins and Knox Kessler; Tots: Aurora Merchant, Eleanor Merchant and Emerson Perkins; Munchkinland Citizens: Phoebe Kessler, Lincoln Tidwell, Meranda Devor, Abigael Downing, Jaylee Bowen-Stout and Stephanie Moore; Poppies: Phoebe Kessler, Paisley Bode, Emerson Perkins, Aurora Merchant, Jaylee Bowen-Stout and Eleanor Merchant; Trees: Whitley Perkins, Ethan Williams and Rylee Bowen; Crows: Allyannah Bock, Heather Manning and Madilyn Born; Ozian Beauticians: Mattilynn Gibbs, Jaide Gibbs and Stephanie Moore; Ozian Polishers:Thomas Herrera and Cory Bill; Ozian Manicurists: Amira Hill, and Jamison Herrera; Oz Men: Lincoln Tidwell, Shawn Anderson and Mikalah Gray; Oz Women: Meranda Devor, Eleanor Merchant, Savannah Merchant and Abigael Downing; Winkie General: Shawna Elder; Winkies:Ethan Williams, Clara Hoffman, Allyannah Bock and Elliot Hollaway; Flying Monkeys: Jameson Wagner, Knox Kessler and Sylas Bock; and Jitterbugs: Mattilynn Gibbs, Jaide Gibbs, Rylee Bowen, Phoebe Kessler, Paisley Bode, Emerson Perkins, Eleanor Merchant, Bethany Johnson, Maverick Perkins, Annica Scrogin and Audrey Edholm.
