Between a breathtaking set and an expert level of professionalism on the actors’ parts, Zachary High’s Theater Department’s production of The Wizard of Oz was nothing short of remarkable. 

The musical tells the tale of a young Dorothy Gale (played by Amelia Dupre’ and Terrolyn Woodridge) as she escapes reality with her little dog, Toto, in a far-off, mystical, magical dreamland called Oz. There, she meets characters who strangely share a resemblance to people she knows in real life. These people teach Dorothy lessons of intelligence, love, bravery, and most importantly that there is no place like home!  

Amelia Dupre’ (9) and Terrolyn Woodridge (11) were both extraordinary in their roles of Dorothy. Their angelic voices left the audience utterly mesmerized as they sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Furthermore, the girls were put to the test when it came to acting with Toto. The dog, understandably, wasn’t always comfortable on the stage, but Dupre’ and Woodridge handled the situations well. When Toto began to pace, Dupre let him run off stage by saying in her character’s sing-song voice, “Run along Toto!” Similarly, Woodridge gently quieted Toto when he began to bark at audience members while simultaneously staying in character. The girls both demonstrated a level of talent that is almost unheard of at the high-school level, and I would not be surprised to see both Dupre’ and Woodridge on the stage in the future. 

Kenny Collins (12) and David Gaines (11) shared the role of Scarecrow; Andon Mounts (12) played Tinman; and John Browing (12) was Cowardly Lion. All four boys truly embodied their characters, bringing them to life. On top of their expert (and hilarious) depictions of each character, the boys’ voices were inspiring to say the least- each of them hitting the high notes effortlessly.  

Makenzie Brown (11) and Andre’a Condol (11) shared the role of The Wicked Witch of the West. From their cackles to their body language to their perfectly timed comedic relief, the girls had the role mastered. 

Ma’at Firven (11) played The Wizard of Oz, which required a level of seriousness in some scenes, but added the perfect amount of humor to others. Her range of acting was beyond impressive! 

Lastly, Julia Blanchard (11) and Deborah Kleinpeter (12) masterfully depicted Glinda the Good Witch, one of the more challenging roles as it requires switching from a stern Aunt Em to a lovely Glinda. Though their characters were almost a direct juxtaposition of one another, the actresses did a wonderful job of personifying both Aunt Em and Glinda. 

But the play’s brilliance didn’t stop with the actors. The set looked like something out of Broadway! An intricate, double-sided farmhouse flipped to represent the boundary between real life and Oz. Beautifully constructed flowers lined the stage during the Munchkin Land scene, accompanied by actors and actresses singing and dancing in flowery costumes. But the piece de resistance came in the form of a magnificent fly rail. 

This production of The Wizard of Oz was inspiring. I can’t wait to see what this group of talented young people produces next!