Nazareth Area Middle School Drama Club to Present ‘The Wizard of Oz’

The is proud to present this year's musical and timeless classic, "The Wizard of Oz."

The production will showcase the talents of about 100 students -- including 20 elementary and intermediate school students -- which make up the entire cast, crew and orchestra.

The students have been preparing and rehearsing since the first week in January, immediately after returning from winter break, according to Sandy Utsch, the NAMS Drama Club assistant director.

Although the show is a NAMS Drama Club production, about 20 students from the elementary and intermediate schools have been recruited to play the munchkins. A first grader is set to play Toto.

“It's a lot of fun to work with the younger students because it means they will be more prepared when they do get to the middle school in a couple of years," Utsch said.

Over 20 parent volunteers assisted in creating sets and costumes from scratch, according to Utsch, and helped bring in professional theatrical makeup techniques.

“The countless hours of our parent volunteers are the only reason we're able to present such a huge and visually impressive production," Utsch said. "This version of the 'Wizard of Oz' is adapted from the screenplay, so it includes the music from the motion picture, rather than being just a straight play of Baum's story.”

The musical will feature an all-student cast, including:

Dorothy -- Mikaela Esposito
Scarecrow -- Nicole LaValva
Tin-man -- Gabriella Tavianini
Lion -- Margaret Richter
Glinda -- Shiloh Coccodrilli
Wicked Witch -- Alison Smith
Wizard of Oz -- Noah Strohm

Dates and Times:
May 6 at 7:30 p.m.
May 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m
May 8 at 2 p.m.

Where:
 Auditorium 

Price:
$7 for adults
$5 for children, students and seniors