Take a trip down the yellow brick road with CCH Theatre for their production of “The Wizard of Oz”
After months of rehearsing, building, and hard work, the Catholic Central High School’s theatre program is ready to hit the stage and head over the rainbow this Friday, March 8th, 2024, for their production of “The Wizard of Oz Musical”.
“It has been a long time coming this year, we’ve been working hard since the end of October start of November putting together a wonderful production of “The Wizard of Oz””, said Braden Dalton, the production’s director. “Our cast and crew have been working hard with our production team to put together acting, singing, choreographer and all the bells and whistles of tech with lighting and sound to bring together this wonderful show based off of the original “Wizard of Oz” novel and MGM Film.”
The show includes close to 50 students, with 27 as part of the cast and around 20 on the crew. Rehearsals have been running after school Monday to Friday, working towards a collective goal of putting together an amazing show. The anticipation has been growing since the end of the 2023/2024 school year when they begin thinking about what the next production will be.
“Over the summer we look over the scripts and whittle down our list and by the start of the school year, or into October, we announce what we’re doing”, said Dalton. “The kids are always excited because they have an idea of what we should do or what we could do and then we always surprise them with what end up doing and the excitement around “The Wizard of Oz” was tremendous.”
The annual production is something the kids look forward to all year and gives them a chance to not only express themselves on stage but also grow closer to their fellow cast and crew members.
“We’ve all had our ups and downs but everyday we work together, we get a little bit closer as a family,” said Zack Ferris, a Grade 12 student at CCH who will be playing the Great & Powerful Wizard of Oz. “We get to know everyone so well here because we spend so much time with them and, especially over the next two weeks, we’re going to see so much of each other we’re just going to get to grow close together.”
When it comes to the show itself, Zack says it’s one that everyone will be able to enjoy because of its familiarity and light heartedness.
“Everyone kind of knows it already so they know what they’re going to be getting into and can enjoy it in a new atmosphere. We’re really excited to show everyone what we’re working on and, hopefully, we’ll have a few audience members singing along.”
Opening night for “The Wizard of OZ” is Friday, March 8, 2024, at 7:00pm with evening performances being held March 8, 13, 14, 15 & 16 and matinee performances on March 9, 10 & 16. Tickets are $22.50 and can be purchased through the
Catholic Central High Schools website.