Following the Yellow Brick Road (WITH GALLERY)
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 9, 2022
The Wicked Witch of the West (Savannah Grady), threatens Dorothy Gale, (Tatum Rooker), the Scarecrow (Shawn T. Thacker), the Tin Man (Noah Brand) and the Cowardly Lion (Nathan Dennison) as they are captured by her Winkie Guards in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.” The show kicked off on Tuesday and will have another performance on Friday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Munchkins, Emerald City residents and Winkie Guards sing in celebration after the Wicked Witch of the West is killed in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Elijah Grubb, as The Wizard, presents a heart to the Tin Man, portrayed by Noah Brand, in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.” (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Dorothy Gale, portrayed by Tatum Rucker, clicks the heels of her ruby slippers together to be sent home.
Aunt Em, played by Vinessa Fressola, sings in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Dorothy Gale, portayed by Tatum Rooker, is consoled by Glinda, played by Jenna Fox, in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.” (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Munchkins, Emerald City residents and Winkie Guards sing in celebration after the Wicked Witch of the West is killed in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
The Wicked Witch of the West, portrayed by Savannah Grady, taunts Dorothy Gale, played by Tatum Rooker, in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.” (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
The Tin Man (Noah Brand), the Scarecrow (Shawn T. Thacker) and the Cowardly Lion (Nathan Dennison). The Tin Man (Noah Brand), the Scarecrow (Shawn T. Thacker) and the Cowardly Lion (Nathan Dennison). (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Savannah Grady, as the Wicked Witch of the West, reacts after being doused with water in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.” (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Munchkins, Emerald City residents and Winkie Guards sing in celebration after the Wicked Witch of the West is killed in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.” (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
The Scarecrow, portrayed by Shawn T. Thacker, receives a diploma from The Wizard. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Dorothy Gale (Tatum Rooker) wakes up in bed in Kansas, greeted by Aunt Em (Vinessa Fressola) and Uncle Henry (Griffin James), in the Paramount Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Paramount Players take on ‘The Wizard of Oz’
ASHLAND, Ky. — For more than eight decades, MGM’s film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” has delighted audiences young and old.
And it is that film version that serves as the basis for the Paramount Players’ production of the story this week, with a shared script and the use of Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg’s songs making an appearance.
The Players kicked off their performances of the musical on Tuesday and another is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Paramount Arts Center, located at 1300 Winchester Ave. in Ashland.
Stepping into Judy Garland’s red slippers as Dorothy Gale for the show is Tatum Rooker, a veteran of Paramount Players productions, with credits including lead roles in “Madagacar” and “Cinderella.” Rooker delivers a lively performance as the girl from Kansas trying to find her way to the Emerald City.
Along the way she encounters the Scarecrow, with Shawn Thacker taking on Ray Bolger’s beloved character, as well as the Tin Man (Noah Brand) and the Cowardly Lion (Nathan Dennison).
The three also double as farm hands in Kansas before the twister take Dorothy to Oz.
Also in a dual role is Savannah Grady, as the Wicked Witch of the West, serving as the antagonist immortalized by Margaret Hamilton, as well as portraying Miss Gulch, Dorothy’s nemesis in Kansas.
Rounding out the main cast are Vinessa Fressola, as Aunt Em, Griffin James, as Uncle Henry, and Elijah Grubb as both Professor Marvel and the titular Wizard.
And accompanying Dorothy down the Yellow Brick Road is Toto, portrayed by local canine actor, Coal Grubb.
The cast is one of the larger of the Players’ productions, with dozens, in a wide range of ages, also serving as munchkins, Emerald City residents, flying monkeys and Winkie Guards.
The shows are directed by Matt Hammond, with Claire Wilson as assistant director.
Allison Keesee serves as stage manager, with Leslie Hammond as assistant.
Rick Payne, of Ironton, is artistic director for the show, as well as costume designer, while choreography is handled by Sarena Johnson.
Tickets range from $10-15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, online at www.paramountartscenter.com or by calling 606-324-0007.
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