Sometimes a perilous journey, life can be filled with twisters, good and wicked witches and flying monkeys.

A group of Warwick High School (WHS) students is learning that those challenges are merely illusions or distractions. They are discovering that everything they need is right in front of them, that they can do anything that they set their minds to and that indeed there is no place like home.

"There is so much to be said for the self-confidence that comes from (the students) putting themselves out there," said Jonathan Shoff, the vocal director of WHS' upcoming musical production. "It can be part of a well-oiled machine. You're taking a risk, and it's a risk that people are sometimes afraid to take. One of the most valuable gifts these productions can give is confidence, the kind that comes from taking that step of vulnerability."

Students involved with WHS' drama department will bring L. Frank Baum's cherished and timeless tale "The Wizard of Oz" to life on Friday, March 14, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 15, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. in the WHS auditorium, 301 W. Orange St., Lititz. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.warwicksd.org, by calling 717-402-2604, by emailing tickets@warwicksd.org or at the auditorium's box office one hour before each performance.

The cast of WHS' "The Wizard of Oz" will also host a free character meet-and-greet on March 15 from 10 a.m. to noon in the auditorium's lobby.

"We always try to pick shows that play to the strengths of the students we have," said Shoff. "This show features the students and showcases the capabilities we have on the stage. I am so excited for so many elements of the show because of the challenges it presents. This is more of a traditional musical. There are super fun songs and big dance features, and there are a lot of technical elements. I hope it's fun for the community."

WHS' group of students involved with presenting "The Wizard of Oz" numbers more than 80 strong - about 40 cast members, about 20 pit musicians and about 20 stagehands. The cast features Luciana Martinez as Dorothy, Lucy Taylor as Aunt Em, Soren Miller as Uncle Henry, Christian Wolf as Zeke/Cowardly Lion, Gannon Ziegler as Hickory/Tinman, Jacob Soslow as Hunk/Scarecrow, Abby Munoz as Miss Gulch/Witch, Jaxon King as Professor/Wizard, Carly Ruchalski as Glinda, Isaac Afutiti as Munchkin Mayor, Finn Cracroft as Munchkin Coroner, Kevin Ridenour as Nikko, Dom Pepo as Winkie General and Alex Kofroth as Guard.

"I'm such a firm believer that students can be empowered by being part of something bigger than themselves," said Shoff. "If someone wants to be here, I'm proud to have them. Everyone has their own story, their own reason for wanting to be here. But they all have a voice. It could be a singing voice or a voice of artistic expression. If one person wasn't here, it wouldn't be the same without them."

" 'Wizard of Oz' was the first musical I was ever in, and getting to do it my senior year feels so right to me," said Jaxon. "Being able to develop the Wizard's character alongside my castmates has been so rewarding, and I'm so excited to share it."

The scripts for "The Wizard of Oz" were distributed to the students during the holiday break, and the initial read-throughs occurred in early January. Since then, theatrical elements have been added at progressive increments, all leading up to dress rehearsals and the public staging of the show.

Hundreds of hours of time have been dedicated to the performance's process and presentation.

"I've learned that when you put your mind to the task, you can accomplish more than you ever thought you could," said Luciana.

"It's a process for the show and for each student," said Shoff. "There are kids who have been doing theater for years and who are comfortable on stage. For some, it's their first time under the lights. For some, it's their last production at Warwick. For the seniors, there's a sense of satisfaction. There are some nerves. There's a build-up of excitement. There's nothing quite like that first audience, nothing like the energy you get when you put the show in front of a crowd."