TAHS musical is friday through Sunday
By Seth Schmidt
Four of the most beloved characters in American folklore — Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion — are marching into Tracy this weekend. A menagerie of munchkins, enchanted flowers — plus the Wicked Witch of the East and the Good Witch Glinda and Professor Marvel — will all be along for the journey, too.
Tracy Area High School students plan three performances of Wizard of Oz Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Students, under the direction of elementary teacher Erin Dahmes, have been rehearsing for the ambitious musical production since September.
A dress rehearsal for Tracy Elementary, St. Mary’s, and junior high students is planned Thursday afternoon.
Senior Sarita Hook plays the lead role of Dorothy. Tristan Xiong will be the Cowardly Lion, with Stewart Chisham playing the Tin Man, and Quentin Cochran taking the role of the Scarecrow. Rebecca Surprenant will play the dual roles of Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch.
Mai Dee Vang plays Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch. Trayton Radke is Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz.
Other cast members include, Nathan Fultz, Mayor; Annaka Hook, Coroner; Marissa Johnson; barrister, and Elizabeth Fultz; City Fathers-Owen Elsen, Kashoua Vang, Jordan Munson; fiddler, Elsa Landherr; braggart, Sophia Dieter; teachers Ella Kamrud, Elsa Landherr; Lullaby League, Tara Roberts, Emily Voss, Delaynie Meyer; woman, Ella Kamrud. About 30 students in grades 4-6 who are in an after-school choir are also in the production.
The musical score includes many familiar songs, including “Over the Rainbow,” “Off to See the Wizard,” “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” and “If I Only Had a Brain.”
Wendy Johnson, high school music director, will help the students learn the music. Shannon Benson, elementary music teacher, is the piano accompanist. Students in an advanced art class taught by Tim Gerrety have created some of the show’s sets.
Tickets will be sold at the door.