The Willow Springs Theatre Guild present the production of “Wizard of Oz,” this month, directed by Rebecca Peterson of Cabool, who is the creator and executive director of STARS Foundation as well as a guild member.
This year being the 75th year anniversary of this production, Peterson will be directing the original MGM version that she directed two years ago. However, it will be done with actors under the age of 22.
“Be prepared to laugh and be surprised as you witness 89 new cast members from five counties, 139 different costumes, real fire, a real horse that changes colors, a witch that melts before your eyes, the mysterious edited ‘Jitterbug’ scene with creeping fog, and other special effects,” Peterson said.
She hopes that there will be a sold-out crowd to cheer the hard work and effort that goes into these plays. “The audience is really the reason we do this and the more we see, the better we perform!” said Peterson, who herself has six children of her own.
Peterson’s previous productions include “Beauty & The Beast,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Jungle Book,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “High School Musical.”
“The great thing about this version, is all ages can enjoy it.,” she added. The running time is 90 minutes including a 15-minute intermission. The play will be running during Willow’s Oz Fest on October 3 and at 7:00 p.m,. and on October 5 at a matinee only at 2:00. And if you loved it enough you can come again and bring more friends, the following weekend it will be staged on October 10, 11 and 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets can be reserved for $5 a seat for all ages at 417-254-3168 or pick them up at Pizza Americana across from Star Theatre in Willow Springs. They will be $6 at the door. “This is very affordable for such a huge production,” Peterson said. “Take advantage of a wonderful family outing!”
Peterson’s next production will be “Dicken’s Christmas Carol” the musical, tentatively set for the first two weekends in December.
Courtesy, The Cabool Enterprise
