"The Wizard of Oz" will open to the public 8 p.

Wednesday, April 05, 2000

"The Wizard of Oz" will open to the public 8 p.m. Friday at Chesapeake High School and continue through Sunday with a performance at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, said Leslie Riedel, high school and middle school music teacher and play director.

And even those who have seen "The Wizard of Oz" a hundred times will be able to find something new and interesting in this production, Mrs. Riedel said.

"There are a lot of special effects," she said. "It’s good. The story and music are still the same. But it’s not exactly like the movie."

Nearly 50 high school and some middle school students, who play munchkins, have worked late every day to ensure this year’s musical is a success, Mrs. Riedel said.

"They’re doing great," she said. "We have rehearsed almost every day of the week for the past two months and even on Saturdays."

And the extra rehearsals have really paid off, said Stacy Boggs, who plays Dorothy.

"It’s going really well," Miss Boggs said. "It’s pulling together. I’m really nervous but I’ll be ready."

The Cowardly Lion, also known as Josh Dierdorff, seems to have more courage than his character when it comes to opening night.

"I’m so excited, I can’t wait," Dierdorff said. "I think it will be a success."

And even though the subject of the play is a tried and true one, the audience should find it fun and original, said Glenn Dillon, who plays the Tin Woodman.

"It’s not hardly at all like the movie," Dillon said. "It’s the same storyline, but there is a big difference between the movie and play version. There are no flying monkeys and that’s real disappointing."

Cast members in this year’s production include Lauren Finley as Aunt Em; James McQuaid, Joe; Ernest Bonecutter, Andy Lewis, Chad Turner and Jeffrey Welch as farmhands; Dan Hamlin, Uncle Henry; Stacy Boggs, Dorothy; Kimberly Aliff, munchkin farmer; Aaron Johnson, munchkin mayor; Ashley Dingus, Megan Eplion, Angela Johnson, Sarah Kyle and Frankie Poston as munchkins; Laura Simpson, munchkin coroner; Royce Coleman, Megan Pack and Nicole Riedel as the Lullaby League; C.J. Hensley, Derrick Moore and Zack Spaulding as the Lollipop Guild; Sarah Simmons, Sorceress of the North; Alicia Ellis, the Wicked Witch of the West; Justin Hawthorne, Scarecrow; Glenn Dillon, the Tin Woodman; Josh Dierdorff, the Cowardly Lion; Thea Brown, Jenelle McQuaid, Jamie Reed and Cindy Smoot as Jitterbugs; James McQuaid, first general; Dan Hamlin, Andy Lewis and Jeffrey Welch as generals; Chad Turner, private; Jamie Reed, Oz lady; Elmer Boster, Lord Growlie; Cindy Smoot, Gloria; Thea Brown, Jenelle McQuaid and Cherie Miles as Oz girls; Bryan Johnson, Wizard of Oz; Holly Allen, first witch; Tamarua Medley, second witch; Dan Hamlin, Tibia; Thea Brown, Jenelle McQuaid and Cherie Miles as ghosts; Chad Turner, servant; James McQuaid, Ozmas; and Ernest Bonecutter, Thea Brown, Lynette Duncan, Dan Hamlin, Tyler Hamlin, Andy Lewis, James McQuaid, Jenelle McQuaid, Cherie Miles, Cindy Smoot, Chad Turner and Jennifer Wassell as the chorus.

The director is Leslie Riedel. Todd Gilpin is the assistant director and Kristen Rucker is the choreographer.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.