Community theatre presents the Wizard of Oz March 19-21
In celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz, Emery County Community Theatre will perform the production on March 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. at the Emery High Auditorium in Castle Dale. They will have a matinee showing on March 21 at 2 p.m. The original Wizard of Oz was a 1900 novel called the Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. In 1939, the book was made into a musical fantasy film starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. It has become one of the most beloved films and stories of all time.
In the Emery County production, Aspen Bloomer will play the part of Dorothy. Dorothy is an orphaned girl being raised by her Auntie Em in Kansas. She is swept away by a cyclone into the land of Oz.
There she meets Munchkins played by several children from Emery County. The good witch played by Pearl Morgan tells Dorothy that the Wizard of Oz in far off Emerald City may be able to help her get back to Kansas, so she commences on a journey to Oz. Along the way she meets the scarecrow played by Sterling Henderson who wishes to go along to receive a brain from the great Oz. They meet the Tin Man-John Hughes who wishes for a heart, so he joins the journey.
They face many hardships and trials along the way including jitterbugs, flying monkeys and the evil witch played by Elizabeth Fillmore. They meet the cowardly lion played by Jacob Barnett who joins the trio to the Wizard to ask for courage. Finally they meet the great Wizard played by Wayne Roberts.
There are more than 60 members in the cast of the play this year. There is much singing and dancing and humor in the production which is suitable for audiences of all ages.
Jan Hanson is the director of the production.
In 1956 the film The Wizard of Oz became an annual event on television. The film was named the most viewed movie on television to date.
Off to see the Wizard
"The Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy and the Scarecrow on their journey to Emerald City to meet the great Wizard of Oz. Jacob Barnett plays the lion, John Hughes the tin man, Aspen Bloomer is Dorothy and Sterling Henderson is the Scarecrow."