By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Dorothy may not be in Kansas anymore, but this time it is not because she was swept away by a tornado. Rather, it’s because she’s about to appear on stage at Moapa Valley High School during their spring theater production of The Wizard of Oz.
The ambitious production is one of the most spectacular plays the group has ever attempted as far as sets and special effects go. The members of the drama department are very excited for the community to see and experience this familiar and well-loved story along with them.
The play will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 25-27. It begins each night at 7:00 pm. Admission is $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults. There is a family pass available for a family of 2 adults and 3 children for $25.
According to MVHS theater teacher Anjie Lee, who is also the director of the play, the story is very family friendly and follows the book more closely than it follows the movie. Don’t worry, though, if you haven’t read the book, because all the familiar players will still be there.
Keely Watkins will be playing the lead role of Dorothy, with Sara Udall as her nemesis, the Wicked Witch of the West. Sierra Reel will be Belinda, the good witch, with FJ Biebl as the Tin Man, Ethan Smedley as the Scarecrow, and Nathaniel Brill as the Wizard. There will also be flying monkeys, the Cowardly Lion, Munchkins, Oz-ites, and all the other familiar and beloved characters.
The cast, crew, and director are all enthusiastic about the play and have been putting in long practice hours to bring the script to life.
“This is the most complicated set we’ve ever done and the largest cast we’ve ever had,” Lee said. “It’s been a lot of work, but for the most part everyone has worked really hard and done really well.”
Stage Manager Patti Vassar said, “This play is most complex technical play we’ve done, but the end result should be really neat.”
Some of the technical surprises you can look forward to are a CGI wizard head, exploding flowers, a projected poppy field, and many other surprises.
The sets themselves are also amazing and reflect the time, energy, and attention to detail that the cast and tech crews have devoted.
“I like that it’s different from what we usually do and it’s familiar,” said Watkins who plays Dorothy. “It’s something that families can come to enjoy with their kids. I love the set. It’s got so many pieces. It’s fun.”
Smedley, who plays the Scarecrow agreed. “Preparing has been a lot of fun and we’ve prepared well,” he said. “But it’s also been a lot of long hours and a lot of work. I really like the character I am playing and I enjoy becoming him on stage. It’s a very free-ing experience.”
Sierra Reel, who plays the good witch, Belinda, said, “I think the coolest part of the play is the set. It is well done and pretty.”
Victoria Pray, who plays Auntie Em, a Munchkin, and an Oz-ite, agrees, saying, “This is a really good cast. We have a lot of fun, but we also work really hard. I get to wear three different costumes, which I really enjoy. It’s a great feeling to be onstage and get out of yourself and into another part. I’m really looking forward to our performance.”
Lee agrees that this play is definitely one not to miss. “We’d love to have the community come out and support these kids and the time and effort they’ve put in to putting on a great performance, while at the same time also supporting the theater program at the school,” she said. “These kids have done a great job and I’m really proud of them. The play should be a big crowd-pleaser and everyone should really enjoy it. We hope to have a great turnout so pass the word and hopefully we’ll see everyone here.”
