BHS Bobcat Drama to present ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in April

BHS Bobcat Drama is in the throes of rehearsals for its upcoming production of the Royal Shakespeare Company version of “The Wizard of Oz,” based on L. Frank Baum’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the first of a series of 14 Oz books, published in 1900; and the subsequent 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The BHS production is scheduled for April 10-13 at the Berryville High School Performing Arts Center. Director Meleia Lewis and music director Cole Moix are guiding the cast of 35, which includes Berryville High School students and several Berryville Intermediate School students.

The beloved story of Dorothy, the young lady from Kansas who is injured in a tornado and then lands in Munchkinland, has gained a new audience in light of the “popularity” (pun intended!) of the recently released film, “Wicked,” and in anticipation of the second installment, “Wicked: For Good,” set to hit movie theaters next Thanksgiving. The new films are based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Wicked,” which opened on Broadway in 2003, and serve as a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” explaining how Elphaba came to be known as the Wicked Witch.

The leads in the local production are actually double- cast. Directors Lewis and Moix decided to use the now familiar “team” colors of Wicked, to identify the casts.

Team Pink consists of Dorothy (Sadie Sharp), Scarecrow (Oliver Bemis); Tin Man (A.C. Calvillo); Cowardly Lion (Karson Casey), Glinda (Averie Engel), the Wicked Witch (Faith McKinney), Emerald City Guard (Cavin Simkins) and the Wizard (BHS English teacher Hunter Rivett).

Team Green consists of Dorothy (Paige Thurman), Scarecrow (Jacob Ellis), Tin Man (Reece Williams), Cowardly Lion (Andrew Griesenauer), Glinda (Adelle Cabrales), the Wicked Witch (Keily Diaz), Emerald City Guard (Keegan Morgan) and the Wizard (Austin Hattenhauer).

Other members of the ensemble include Ford Byerley, Talon Ellis, Jazmine Lopez, Jennifer Carrera, Kady Kendrick, Sydnee Carlson, and Andrea Grenado; as well as younger students Jaxson Ryker, Aaron Orman, Tempe Orman; Ada Worley, Annlee Ashworth, Lynnsey Quintana, Jaylinn Hernandez, Abby McKinney, Paolette Trujillo, Zelphia Backs, Ada Worley, Elli Martinez, Adilyn Woodruff, Ryan Curtis, and Ali Curtis. Finally, Kronk (our Toto!).

Stage manager for the musical is Ashlee Bills, with Sage Tresler and Cesia Umana serving as assistant stage Managers. Community volunteer Chloe Vasey is serving as the director’s assistant. Kynadei Spring will be helping with choreography. Many other students are working on the various crews.

The Green Cast will perform on Thursday, April 10 and Saturday, April 12. The Pink Cast will perform on Friday, April 11, and Sunday, April 13th.

Advance tickets will be available in early March. See updates on BHS Bobcat Drama’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.