By Vince Burke, Wolf Creek Public Schools
Rimbey Jr/Sr High School is getting set to lift the curtain on the yellow brick road later this month.
The school is presenting The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Tim Kelly as a dinner theatre production at Kyera Place in the Rimbey Community Centre on Dec. 19-20.
Drama teacher Shauna Murdoch says the play is a chance to return to an old favourite and a classic story that everyone recognizes.
“It’s a classic story, but I think the themes and the symbols in it about trying to find who you really are and standing up for yourself is something we can all relate to,” she said.
From left, Cass Smith (Scarecrow), Bre Teets (Tin Woodsman), Rose Kennedy (Cowardly Lion), Danielle Fisher (Guardian of the Gates / Boq / Aunt Em), and Marissa Andries (Dorothy) review scenes together during a full-cast rehearsal for Rimbey High School’s production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (Wolf Creek Public Schools)
With seven classes remaining until curtain call, Murdoch said the cast of 16 is starting to feel the nerves, as the lines and scenes come together.
“The kids are excited. They’re starting to get a little nervous now as the time crunches on, which is what you want; you don’t want them to be overconfident,” she said.
“And now, by not helping them with lines, they have to really work together, because when it comes to the show, they have to trust each other.”
Taking the lead as Dorothy is Grade 11 student, Marissa Andries, who is also in her first year at the school, after moving from Manitoba.
“I didn’t really care what part I got. I just wanted to be a part of it,” said Marissa, who has previous musical theatre experience. She said the fun part of a classic story is finding a way to make a familiar character your own.
“You can kind of put your own spin on it with the actions and the way you say some of the stuff, but it’s a little bit harder ’cause Dorothy is so well known that you want to do it the way it was portrayed in the movie.”
Opposite Dorothy is Grade 11 student Adysen Lundgard, who is enjoying her turn as the Wicked Witch. This is Lundgard’s second year in drama, and she says the appeal of performing is simple.
“It’s a known story. Everyone knows the story — Wizard of Oz, and I think especially with the new Wicked movies as well, people are more interested,” she said.
From left, Marissa Andries (Dorothy), Bre Teets (Tin Woodsman), Rose Kennedy (Cowardly Lion), and Cass Smith (Scarecrow) rehearse a movement sequence during preparations for Rimbey High School’s production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (Wolf Creek Public Schools)
Lundgard added that the cast is united and focused as opening night nears.
“The group’s really good. I think we are all invested in making it a good play,” she said, adding they are looking forward to sharing their hard work with the community.
“It’s a very exciting thing being able to show, like, this is what we’ve done all year; now you enjoy it too.”
Murdoch said she has a diverse cast that has really come together.
“I have 16 students this year, some are experienced theatre students, some it’s their first time, it’s almost like a family, they all trust and come together and have a good time.”
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz runs Dec. 19 and 20 at Kyera Place in the Rimbey Community Centre. Tickets are $50, with dinner at 6 p.m. and the play at 7 p.m., and are available through Rimbey Jr/Sr High School.
Wizard of Oz Cast list
DOROTHY ……………………………………………………………………………………………Marissa Andries
BOQ ………………………………………………………………………………………………………Danielle Fisher
MUNCHKIN #1……………………………………………………………………………………Savanah Moorman
MUNCHKIN #2 ……………………………………………………………………………………Katelynn Zukiwski
MUNCHKIN #3 …………………………………………………………………………………Hannah Rasmussen
MUNCHKIN #4 …………………………………………………………………………………………….Emma Thul
GLINDA THE GOOD……………………………………………………………………………Mercedes Steeves
WICKED WITCH………………………………………………………………………………….Adysen Lundgard
SCARECROW …………………………………………………………………………………………….Cass Smith
TIN WOODSMAN …………………………………………………………………………………………..Bre Teets
COWARDLY LION…………………………………………………………………………………….Rose Kennedy
CHINA PRINCESS…………………………………………………………………………………Nancy Wilkinson
GUARDIAN OF THE GATES………………………………………………….Allen Fajardo/Danielle Fisher
OZ …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Omar Torres
WINGED MONKEYS#1 …………………………………………………………………………………Emma Thul
WINGED MONKEYS#2 …………………………………………………………………………….Erika Vienneau
WINGED MONKEYS#3 ………………………………………………………………………………….Ole Huseby
WINGED MONKEYS#4 ……………………………………………………………………..Hannah Rasmussen
AUNT EM ………………………………………………………………………………………………..Danielle Fisher
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