The Charles Wright Players debuted their production of The Wizard of Oz last night with heart, brains and courage. Based on the MGM movie, the musical includes all the standard songs that made it a classic – Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Ding! Dong! The Witch is Dead, We’re Off to the See the Wizard and many others. Of course, the CWA students and their director, John Forier, have given the show a few unique twists, particularly in the costuming and staging departments, but these additions only add to the show’s charm.

Lindsey Evans, Kate Ellwanger, Alex Martin, Andy Boyd, Clark Hill, Toby Shorin, Kate Vorhoff and Mary Wakefield all shine in leading roles. They’ve developed each of their characters with subtle and not-so-subtle pop cultural references to the 80s, the 90s and the Pacific Northwest which will keep the adults in the audience entertained. At the same time, they stick to the plot, script and score of movie faithfully enough to captivate die-hard Oz fans and first time viewers alike.

The members of the Ozzian chorus, Aubrey Kendall, Grace Oberhofer, Winnie Wakaba, Ashley Williams, Emily Harper, Hope Sussman, Genevieve Forier, Iean Drew, Jerrud Glaze and Jens Winship, put just as much into the show as the lead actors and their clever choreography and beautiful singing really bring the wonders of Oz to life.

In the center-stage pit, Xavier Al-Mateen, Kara Chevrier, Alex King, Dan Shattuck, Lucia Shen and Angela Yang keep the show moving along with a very challenging musical score. Accompanying soloists is no easy task and they do a beautiful job.

The set, costuming, sound, lighting and spectacular special effects are perhaps the most creative aspects of this production and credit goes to Katie Young, Reagan Haroldson, Lisa Carson, Chris Paulson, Samantha Sesnon, Susan Blyler, Fiona Clark, Alex Coddington, Sam Dsner, Austin Kuhn, Sean Matson, Sarah Vasquez, Arianna Benfanti, Jin Chun, Shelly Culbertson, Abby Holmes, Jordan Seto and Sarah Threet.

The struggle between good and evil is alive and well in this show, and evil isn’t evil if it isn’t scary. Lower School students will probably want to sit close to mom and dad for a few scenes, but they will undoubtedly love the show.

Behind the scenes, many members of the Charles Wright faculty helped the students produce this show and special recognition goes to John Forier (director and designer), Heidi Huckins (pit director), Chelsea Carter (costume designer), Mike Moffitt (tech director and pit sub), and Aimee Mell (music director).

The lesson most of us learned from The Wizard of Oz is that we already have all we need to succeed in life – heart, brains and courage. And of course, we learned that there’s no place like home. However, the opening and closing of this show, and the mysterious absence of Toto in this production, point to the deeper psychological questions this story presents. It will give you something to ponder on your way home, while humming that catchy Winkie marching tune.

View photos online at: photos.charleswright.org

There are very few seats left for the remaining shows, so if you have not already done so, give Phyllis a call at (253) 620-8300 to reserve your seat.

Shows are:
Friday, February 8 at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 9 at 7:30pm

Performances will be held in the Upper School music room. Guests enter through the commons. Admission is $7 for students, faculty and staff. General admission is $10.

A special performance has been scheduled for Lower and Middle School families on
Saturday, February 9 at 2:00pm.

Admission for this show only is $5 for adults and students are free. All funds raised at this show will help send the band to the Heritage Festival in Anaheim, California, later this spring.