Rio Stages “The Last Oz Story” April 8 and 9, 2011
[This article, dated April 5, 2011, was originally published on the University of Rio Grande website: http://www.rio.edu/news/index.php?key=686%5D
An original musical featuring the characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” will be performed for the first time ever this weekend at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College. “The Last Oz Story,” will be performed at the Berry Fine and Performing Arts Center on the Rio Grande campus on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. Both shows will begin at 8 p.m.
The production will feature Rio Grande students, including a few of the exchange students from the University of Wales, Trinity St. David in Carmarthen, Wales. Several community members, including some very talented children and young adults from the community, will also be in the musical.
The musical is by author David Meyers and Rio Grande faculty member Scott Michal. Michal is an accomplished musician and composer, and he and Meyers have collaborated on other projects previously. Another of their musicals, for example, has been performed around the country and was staged by the famous Second City group in Chicago.
In this story, Dorothy returns to Oz and sees how the friends she met there previously have changed. The Tin Man, for example, has become too sensitive and relies on his heart too much and now is worried about cutting down trees. The Lion has become too courageous and now is acting recklessly. The Scarecrow, meanwhile, has become so smart that he has taken over Oz.
“It’s really very clever and cute,” Michal said about the story. The production features several musical numbers that area residents will enjoy, and the whole performance is fun and entertaining. “The cast is just amazing,” Michal said. “The kids are doing some spectacular things. I’m speechless.”
Allyson Johnson of Gallipolis is playing the role of Dorothy, and Michal said she is doing very well. “She has the most beautiful singing voice,” Michal said. Nathan Wood, also of Gallipolis, is playing the part of the Tin Man. “He has us all laughing so hard every time he is on stage,” Michal said.
Natalie Baxter of Chillicothe is doing an outstanding job playing the role of the Lion, and Tyler Phillips of Chillicothe is doing very well as the Scarecrow. “He is an amazing dancer,” Michal said. Rio Grande student Mason Traylor of Jackson is choreographing the musical. Traylor has danced with professional dance companies previously, and is working very hard to prepare the cast for the show.
Andrea Rohrer of Canton is playing the role of a new witch in the show, and she is bringing an attitude and a great deal of energy to the character. Dion Lloyd Jones, a Welsh exchange student, is playing the role of a doctor who takes care of Dorothy in modern day Kansas, while Lucia Colley of Gallia County plays the role of a social worker who works with Dorothy in modern day Kansas.
Jamil Stepney, a Gallia Academy student taking classes at Rio Grande, is playing the role of a cameraman, while Rio Grande student Ashli Cooper is playing the part of a reporter. “They’re trying to find out the truth,” Michal said about the reporter and cameraman.
Elin Wyn Williams, also a Welsh exchange student, is playing the role of Glinda The Good Witch. “You’ve never seen Glinda, until you’ve seen her played with a Welsh accent,” Michal said. “It’s delightful.” Ceri Nia Lewis, also a Welsh exchange student, is serving as the assistant director for the show. “She is doing amazing,”
Michal said. Several children and young adults are playing the parts of the Munchkins in the show, and are doing very well with their dancing and acting. “The Munchkins are really adorable,” Michal said. “They will steal the show.”
Rio Grande faculty, staff and community members have all participated in creating the costumes, sets and special effects for the show, and Michal is proud of all of the collaboration for the production.
For additional information on upcoming events at Rio Grande, as well as information on the wide range of academic programs offered on Rio Grande’s scenic campus, log onto http://www.rio.edu.