North Sanpete will blow the wicked witch away in ‘Wizard of Oz’ play
Daniela Vazquez
Staff writer
11-17-2016
MT. PLEASANT — The classic tale of Dorothy Gale will come to life in the North Sanpete High School (NSHS) drama department’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” Nov. 17-19.
The feature length production will be held in the NSHS Auditorium at 390 E. 700 South at 7 p.m., with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
The play was written by L. Frank Baum with music by Harold Arlen and Edward Yipsel Harburg. It will be directed by NSHS speech and drama teacher Alex Barlow.
The play is Barlow’s third production and second musical at NSHS.
“The Wizard of Oz is a classic for a reason,” Barlow says. “It’s got magic and imagination, but it also has a real human message about being home. It’s a real gripping and entertaining story.”
The story begins as Dorothy Gale, played by Shinohe Lee, and her dog Toto run away from the wicked Miss Gulch, played by Emily Hill. Dorothy runs to her loving Auntie Em, played by Jessica Boekweg, and her protective Uncle Henry, Donnivan Kubota.
Dorothy also finds solace in her friends and farmhands Hickory, played by Jonathan Fletcher, Hunk, played by Brynne Lamb; and Zeke, played by Kelsen Spencer.
While they all tell Dorothy not to worry about Miss Gulch and to avoid causing any more trouble, she dreams of a land where there are no troubles.
After a tornado seeps through the little town and knocks Dorothy out, she wakes to find herself in a magical land.
She finds a new friend, new adventures and new dangers around every turn on the yellow brick road as she tries to find her way back home.
“’The Wizard of Oz’ has a message we can all connect to about trying to go home and (fill) the place it has in all our hearts,” Spencer said.
The production is said to be an impressive work of art. Mt. Pleasant artist Jason Quinn donated several hours to paint and airbrush the fine details of the backdrops and props.
Ranae Lee, a local seamstress, donated many hours of work designing and sewing the costumes.
Collectively, Barlow said close to 750 hours had been donated by volunteers, artists and parents to make the production come alive.
“I enjoy seeing it come together,” said Lee, a junior. “I love being Dorothy. She learns to respect and she learns through experiences. Dorothy gets to learn the importance of family and friends.”
General admission to “The Wizard of Oz” is $7 for adults and $6 for kids and seniors citizens. Discounted tickets for groups of ten or more are $5 each.
