PVHS To Stage "The Wizard of Oz"

When Nathan Bankert chose "The Wizard of Oz" as the Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) spring musical, he knew he would be directing student actors in an "energetic performance filled with quirky animated characters that would appeal to the whole family." He also knew that he wanted some of the characters to fly, and he turned to ZFX Flying Effects, the system that helped him get Mary Poppins off the ground in 2018.

"The Wizard of Oz" will be presented at PVHS, 4033 E. Newport Road, Kinzers, on Thursday, March 2, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 4, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The well-known tale of "The Wizard of Oz" begins in Kansas and follows a young farm girl, Dorothy Gale, played by Ruthie LaCorte, who dreams of a better place for herself and her dog, Toto. Before she can run away, a tornado hits the farm and Dorothy sustains a bump on the head, resulting in her being transported "beyond the rainbow" to a land where people from her Kansas life become magical characters. Dorothy meets Glinda the Good Witch, played by Olivia Ross and Kianna Winey. Accompanied by the Scarecrow, played by Nicholas Ammon; the Tinman, played by Peter Brumbach; and the Cowardly Lion, played by Jarred Knepp, Dorothy and Toto follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz, where they contend with the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Naomi Brumbach, and meet the Wizard of Oz, played by Sean Ammon.

Several members of the cast, including Ruthie, Nicholas, and Olivia, noted that they grew up watching the movie and hoping to play specific characters. "Tackling a show as iconic as 'The Wizard of Oz' is a challenge because there's expectation," pointed out Kianna. "Everyone knows the story."

While most people are familiar with the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, fewer may have seen the Broadway version and a number called "The Jitterbug." "All these dancers come out and it's crazy lights and costumes," said Bankert. "It will really blow people away."

Of course, the beloved "Over the Rainbow," "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," and "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" will all be staged.

Asked about the message of the show, Ruthie pointed to the scene where Glinda tells Dorothy that she has always had the power to return home if only she believed in herself. Jarred focused on the theme of "home." "Keep (your friends and family) close," he said. "There's no one like them."

Tickets for "The Wizard of Oz" may be purchased by calling 717-768-5510, ext. 5509, or by emailing Lori_Aleardi@pequeavalley.org. Tickets will be discounted for students and senior citizens.