Dorothy and Toto dream of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” when the neighbor Miss Gultch takes away Toto. Toto escapes, while Dorothy (Mason Holliday) sings of that secret place where everyone gets along.MEEKER I Friday night’s performance was jam packed and Saturday’s performance of “The Wizard of Oz” was nearly packed, much to the delight of the hundreds present to take in the Meeker High School Drama Club, the International Thespian Society No. 1284, the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council and the Center Stage Youth Theatrical Group musical production.
The musical followed quite closely the action and music in the beloved 1939 original Academy Award-winning production we all grew up with and have fallen in love with.
The acting and singing were tremendous. The choreography and lighting were highly professional.
The staging and casting were memorable and the entire production was outstanding.
Following Dorothy, not happy at home because Miss Gultch wants to take her dog away, Dorothy longs for and sings of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” where all is perfect, but discovers that such is not the case as she runs into good witches, bad witches, mean flying monkeys and many other obstacles. She tries to find her way back home and get the timid Scarecrow a brain, the rusted Tin Man a heart and the Cowardly Lion some courage by seeking out the Wizard of Oz.
Great performances led to great versions of the classic songs from the production such as “Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead,” “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard”, “We Welcome You to Munchkin Land” and “The Merry Old Land of Oz.”
The production was directed by Laurie and Gary Zellers, Shana Holliday designed costumes and directed music, choreography was by Kari Jo Stevens, Nancy Richardson designed and directed set and prop creation and Bob Amick was the technical director. Every aspect of the production was nearly flawless.
Once again, the actors, directors and gobs of volunteers proved to two Meeker audiences that when they jump in with both feet to put on a top-notch production, they succeed.
After finally getting into Oz past the City Guard (Ashdon Siebert), Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy and Scarecrow come face to face with the Wizard, who is not very happy to see them.
Dorothy and Toto dream of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” when the neighbor Miss Gultch takes away Toto. Toto escapes, while Dorothy (Mason Holliday) sings of that secret place where everyone gets along.
After leaving Munchkinland on the way to see the Wizard, Dorothy runs into a stranded Scarecrow (Sena Zellers), who is persuaded to join Dorothy on her way to Oz.
The Munchkins welcome Dorothy and praise her for killing the Wicked Witch’s sister when Dorothy’s house falls on top of her in Munchkin Land.
In the forest on the way to Oz, Dorothy and the Scarecrow run into a well-rusted Tin Man (Savanna May), who they convince to join them so Scarecrow can get a brain and the Tin Man can obtain a heart.
After joining forces in the forest, the four are now on their last leg to Oz. Pictured are the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and Dorothy with the Cowardly Lion (Annalise Amack), who is wanting some courage from the Wizard.
The Wicked Witch, left, (Ruby Holliday), is not happy to meet up with Dorothy, middle, and good witch Glinda (Kolbi Franklin) only find out that her sister was killed by Dorothy’s house and that Dorothy is wearing the red slippers that used to belong to her sister.
The Wizard (Ridge Williams), realizing he cannot escape the quartet of characters who have come to see him, grants Scarecrow a diploma, signifying that she has a brain while the others wait their turns.
