By RILEY FRANK
Tiger Media Network
Thomas More Prep-Marian High School will present its fall musical, “The Wizard of Oz”, this weekend.
“The Wizard of Oz” is famously known as a fantasy story following a young girl named Dorothy and her beloved dog Toto, trying to find their way back to Kansas. To change the stage on this classic musical, Director Travis Grizzell decided to add a 1920s theme to the Emerald City.
“The Emerald City has always given a 20s/Gatsby vibe to me, and we are in the 100th anniversary year of the novel’s publication, so why not?” Grizzell said.
This musical, fit for all ages, stars senior Grace Schmeidler as Dorthy Gale.
“I enjoy working with my co-stars because they bring their joy of acting to the stage, which keeps the show fun,” she said. “The actors of Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow are amazing to be around on stage.”
Seniors Eli Stein and Blaise Staab were cast as Scarecrow and Lion, and sophomore Jack Stoecklein was cast as the Tin Man. These fellow friends follow Dorothy and Toto around the yellow brick road to earn themselves a brain, heart and courage. Freshman Kendall Seiler and her dog Karley were the best fit for Glinda and Toto, while the Wicked Witch, the main antagonist of this tale, is portrayed by senior Morgan Greenwood.
“I love about a million things about ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ but I think the one reason I keep coming back to it is its universal appeal,” Grizzell said. “When I taught U.S. History last year, it became apparent how unfamiliar this generation is with the film and the story. It’s such a significant part of our popular culture, and it’s the “American fairytale”, so I have to keep exposing our students to this amazing story.”
Tickets are available for purchase online through the TMP website or at the door. Show dates are this Thursday and Saturday at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM), and Sunday at 2:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM).