 The Wizard of Oz can be seen all over the county in
many different guises over this summer, including at Helix High School where
Young Actors Theatre put on this classic musical for the young at heart.
This production began showing its strengths when Dorothy
lands her house in Munchkinland. The munchkins are truly into it when
celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the East. Megan Martin is
an especially comforting Glinda who seems genuinely protective of her dear
munchkins.
Leading the cast is Chelsea Mullen who sings and
plays her part as the sweet but determined Dorothy well, even when she has to
chase after her dog Toto who likes to do a little improv. Nick Wheaton
is her smart If I Only Had a Brain friend Scarecrow who poses as “The
Thinker,” Jacob Statham is the caring but heartless Tinman, and Arianna
Ramirez is the amusingly cowardly Lion who uses her voice and expressions
magnificently.
And then there’s the Wicked Witch of the West, with Angela
Lanphear clearly delighting in her wickedness, laughing at and tormenting
Dorothy and her friends with glee.
The cast also includes a fine bunch of dancers who
shine in the Emerald City and Jitterbug scenes led by Juliann Friel and Chelsea
Mullen. Christine Friel made her directorial debut with the show.
Though the production’s flow was still a little rough opening weekend, the
vision for the characters is good and the show features some creative touches like traffic signals in the Emerald City.
Performed June 16-24, 2006.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
 Dorothy Gale: Chelsea Mullen
Aunt Em: Denise McMillan
Uncle Henry: Alex Sanchez
Wicked Witch: Angela Lanphear
Glinda: Megan Martin
Lion: Arianna Ramirez
Tinman: Jacob Statham
Scarecrow: Nick Wheaton
Wizard/Professor: Greg Zoumaras
Gate Keeper: Jacob Gardenswartz
Jitterbug Soloist: Juliann Friel
Munchkins:
Andie Tencza
Ashley Schwartz
Ashton Kaul
Celeste Goldstein
Cyanna Moody
Dylan Hooker
Gabriella Winton
Isabelle Feller
Joey Rearic (Barrister)
Julien Turrenne des Pres
Katie Ward (Mayor)
Kenzie Wallace (Munchkin #2)
Laura Allen
Maggie Holscher
Morgan Boyd-Kennedy (Farmer)
Noah Hartwell
Rachel Brady
Samantha Moen
Sierra Goldstein (Munchkin #1)
Sofia Gardenswartz
Poppies:
Andie Tencza
Ashley Schwartz
Celeste Goldstein
Cyanna Moody
Gabriella Winton
Isabelle Feller
Katie Ward
Laura Allen
Maggie Holscher
Morgan Boyd-Kennedy
Rachel Brady
Sofia Gardenswartz
Lullaby League:
Celeste Goldstein
Isabelle Feller
Laura Allen
Maggie Holscher
Rachel Brady
Lollipop Guild:
Dylan Hooker
Julien Turrenne-Des Pres
Noah Hartwell
Jitterbug/Ozian Tappers:
Alyssa Reinicke
Emily Mathison
Juliann Friel (Lead)
Kaleo Ruggiero-Orbin
Kara Zimmer
Sarah Mathison
Stephanie Schmidt
Ozians:
Alex Sanchez **
Corey Hable
Denise McMillan
Isabella Lenhoff
Jewell Karinen **
Kayla Staub **
Kenzie Wallace
Michelle Montrose
Morgan Rathbun **
Samantha Moen
Sasha Pouzikov
Sierra Goldstein
** Winkies
Monkeys:
Ashton Kaul
Dylan Hooker
Joey Rearic
Julien Turrenne des Pres
Noah Hartwell
Director: Christine Friel
Choreographer: Candice Mayer
Music Director: Shane Simmons
Stage Manager: Amanda Friel
Lighting: Chris Smith
Sound: Lawrence Tomicich
Set Design: Chris Smith
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