BY ALICIA FEYERHERM<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hays Community Theater will be performing \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d this weekend in the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
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\u201cIt\u2019s amazing that we\u2019ve been around this long and have not done \u2018The Wizard of Oz\u2019 as a community theater,\u201d President of the Hays Community Theater Board Travis Grizzell said.
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After all, \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d is a big part of Kansas culture.
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\u201cThis is our show,\u201d Grizzell said. \u201cIt\u2019s Kansas, you know, it\u2019s our fairy tale.\u201d
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Even for those outside of Kansas, \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d still appeals to a large audience.
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\u201cIt\u2019s timeless,\u201d Grizzell said. \u201cThe older people will remember it. The kids will love it and they\u2019re exposed to it maybe for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This production also supports members of the community – something not showcased at professional shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou go to a Broadway show, you\u2019re seeing professional actors, but here you\u2019re getting an English teacher, a plumber, a college student and a fourth-grader,\u201d Grizzell said.
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Even though the cast does not have the same level of experience as Broadway performers, everyone gets the same script.
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\u201cWe\u2019re charged with somehow pulling off the same show as the best in the world and we usually do pretty darn good, \u201cGrizzell said.
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Grizzell thanks the tech crew at Beach Schmidt for helping with the special effects.
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\u201cWe can do some things with lighting and projections that we weren\u2019t able to do 15 years ago when I started,\u201d Grizzell said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d also provides flexibility in casting numbers.
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\u201cYou can put as many Munchkins and Winkies and Emerald City people as you want so a lot of the community can be involved,\u201d Grizzell said.
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This includes members of the HCT Board of Directors.
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\u201cThe entire board but one will be on stage at some point,\u201d Director Wendy Richmeier said. \u201cOne will be doing behind-the-scenes work, but they are all involved.\u201d
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For Grizzell, this means doubling as Board President and the Cowardly Lion.
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\u201cCome get your tickets and watch me sweat on stage,\u201d Grizzell said.
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Richmeier and the cast have worked very hard producing the show, and this will be the community theater\u2019s first show back at Beach Schmidt since the pandemic.
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\u201cCOVID really took a hit, especially for things like community theater,\u201d Richmeier said. \u201cThis show gives local talent the opportunity to come back into the theater and get back on stage which is very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tickets for the show can be purchased at hctks.com or at the door. Curtain is at 7:00 tonight, Friday, and Saturday.
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