Shipmates off to see the wizard
Photo courtesy of Leslee Mahon
THE PRESQUE ISLE HIGH SCHOOL Shipmates’ Playhouse fall musical, “The Wizard of Oz,” premiers Friday night at the PIHS auditorium.
The musical is based heavily on the movie and includes the familiar characters and songs people have come to know and love. Among those performing in this year’s production include, from left: Keith Clark (Lion), Dylan Shaw (Tinman), Dale Winslow (Scarecrow), Christina Hallowell (Dorothy), Chloe Rossignol (Glinda) and Abigayle Clark (Wicked Witch). Tickets are $5 and are available at the PIHS main office, Goin’ Postal and at the door.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE — Community members are encouraged to follow the yellow brick road that leads to the Presque Isle High School Shipmates’ Playhouse fall musical, “The Wizard of Oz.”
Premiering Friday night at the PIHS auditorium, director Leslee Mahon said the musical is based heavily on the movie.
“The lines and action is very similar to the film we all love,” she said. “We are fortunate to have so many talented students at PIHS. This production has two talented casts and a solid supporting cast who have taken on the challenge of numerous roles. I am proud of the dedication I have witnessed in developing this show.”
Despite the dedication, Mahon said this year’s production has been “one of the most difficult” she has encountered.
“The rehearsals have been challenging this year. After beginning the show, I realized how technical the scenes are, and how difficult it is to stage a production with characters flying, melting and disappearing,” she said. “Dorothy leaves Kansas and lands in Munchkin Land in a matter of minutes.
“The set crew is incredible as they physically fly characters and execute scene changes. Characters have approximately five minutes to become the Tinman, Lion, Scarecrow, Glinda and the Wicked Witch. This play has numerous challenges with makeup, costumes and scenery,” said Mahon. “I am fortunate to work with Elaine Sipe, who is a costume expert; Jay Nelson, who is a music expert; Joe Zubrick, who is a technical and set expert; and Colleen DuPlissie, who is a dance expert. This team of adults has worked to secure a top-notch show for our community.”
Zubrick said this year’s sets are “suggestive rather than realistic.”
“We have lots of scenes with lots of pieces so selection has been critical. We repurposed many of the existing pieces to keep the costs down, so we could lower the ticket price,” he said. “You’ll see pieces from the last few shows, repainted and reconfigured.
“I think the show is based on whimsy and wonder, and hopefully, the set pieces will carry those themes over to the audience,” said Zubrick. “Film and theater work differently with theater audience’s filling in many of the details a film can provide. I think the audience will get caught up in the story and will focus on the characters. The sets should be enough to help keep a frame of reference, but aren’t the main emphasis of the show.”
Nelson said show-goers will know most of the songs in the production.
“The classic ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ ‘If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/Nerve,’ ‘King of the Forest,’ ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard,’ ‘Ding Dong the Witch is Dead’ and ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ are all there,” he said. “This show will be very familiar with the old ‘classic’ style of music.
“The biggest difference musically [between the musical and the movie] is that there is one additional song called ‘The Jitterbug,’” said Nelson. “This is a song in a swing style that would actually fit with the old jitterbug dance style that was popular during the swing era in the late 1930s and ‘40s. It is a wonderful addition to the movie score!”
Mahon said she has always wanted to direct “The Wizard of Oz.”
“Approximately 13 years ago, I chose the play and found out I was pregnant, so I couldn’t direct the show after all,” she said. “My son is currently 13 and I am excited to be able to have him watch our production.”
Though familiar with many, Mahon said people should definitely plan to support this year’s production.
“Everyone should attend two showings of this year’s musical because our production is full of familiar songs and the magic of Kansas and Oz. You will see the characters you have loved for years and smile when Dorothy holds Toto,” she said, noting that Toto is a real dog. “Toto is Snooki, Arianna Forbes’ dog, and she has taken on her role with great success.”
“It’s a classic and this year’s cast has many new faces. I think the piece has the power to captivate an audience no matter how many times they’ve seen it or the film,” said Zubrick. “Bring your friends!”
Nelson agreed.
“This is a very fun show and is great for the entire family,” he said. “Plan on coming on out a couple of times so you can see both casts.”
The Kansas Cast includes Christina Hallowell (Dorothy), Chloe Rossignol (Aunt Em/Glinda), Brandon Howlett (Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard), Garrett Kidney (Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz), Scott Rhynold (Coroner), Jordan Buckley (Zelda/Lion), Dylan Shaw (Hickory/Tinman), Dale Winslow (Hunk/Scarecrow) and Kristina Lord (Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch).
The Oz Cast includes Kate Campbell (Dorothy), Miranda Flannery (Aunt Em/Glinda), Garrett Kidney (Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard), Brandon Howlett (Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz), Dylan Shaw (Coroner), Keith Clark (Zeke/Lion), Hannah Stoutamyer (Hickory/Tinwoman), Jordan Shaw (Hazel/Scarecrow) and Abigayle Clark (Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch).
Actors who play the same role in both Kansas and Oz Casts include Arianna Forbes (Mayor of Munchkin City), Brynn Staples (Barrister), Emily Brawn (Fiddler), Isaac Michaud (Braggart), Emerald Mutty and Paige Haley (Beauticians), Tristan Russell (General), Mary Mitchell (Nikko/Head of the Flying Monkeys), and Isaac Michaud, Kristen Gingrich, Brynn Staples and Emily Brawn (Flying Monkeys).
Pit Band: Sarah Diette, piano; Jon Simonoff, bass; Pat Bragdon, drums; Rachel Scott, alto sax; Sean Diette, reeds; and Jenna Hartung, reeds.
Set Crew: Kayli Malenfant, Kylie Blair, Codie Henderson, Courtney Carney, Hayden Dow, Zack Breton, Marta Herzog and Tabitha Gordon.
Ozian Ensemble/Winkies/Munchkin Land: Angela Hallowell, Kristen Gingrich, Mary Mitchell, Arianna Forbes, Brynn Staples, Emily Brawn, Isaac Michaud, Emerald Mutty, Paige Haley and Scott Rynhold.
Ensemble Dancers: Kelsey Buck, Rachel Dow, Hannah Stoutamyer (opposite cast) and Jacqueline Lambert.
Directors and play production staff: Leslee Mahon (director), Elaine Sipe (assistant director/costumes), Priscilla Gallagher (costumes), Jay Nelson (music director), Joe Zubrick (technical/set director), Sarah Diete (pianist), Colleen DuPlissie (choreographer), Kathy Peary (program), Karen Winiarski and Tamia Glidden (ticket sales), Courtney Carney and Codie Henderson (stage managers), Zachary Dubé and Noah Rossignol (lights), Maryjo Badger (designer of the apple trees) and Hannah Stoutamyer (choreographer of the Scarecrow/Tinman/Lion dances).
Performances of the Kansas Cast are at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Nov. 17 and Nov. 18. The Oz Cast will take to the stage at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and Nov. 18 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 19. Tickets are $5 and are available at the PIHS main office, Goin’ Postal and at the door.
Prior to attending this Friday’s show, there will be a lasagna dinner, sponsored by the PIHS Classes of 2013 and 2015, from 5-7 p.m. in the cafeteria. Cost is $5.
