Creative students reveal the tale of Oz

By Gene Wilson III

First Baptist Academy Theater Club recently presented the favorite musical tale of Dorothy and friends from “The Wizard of Oz.”  The musical was based on the hit film that was nominated for several Academy Awards upon its release, including Best Picture and Visual Effects. Did you know 2019 is the 80th anniversary of the film “The Wizard of Oz?” It first premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on August 15, 1939. 

The theater club crew members and the cast had a total head count of 47 talented teenagers from ninth-twelfth grade. 

The play included seniors Tatiana Lamadrid, Jack Kristofek, Carson Horner, Josh Hays, Sebastian Colunga, Haley Daniels, Emma Fisher, Omor Igiehon and Gene Wilson III. 

The lights were designed and run by Benji Boone, and Emma Fisher displayed her creativity in the artwork for the show and was also a stage manager. 

The student directors were Lauren Munnerlyn, who played Aunt Em Gale, and Havana Wygal, who played the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Other main characters were Tatiana Lamadrid as Dorothy Gale, Miranda Munnerlyn as Toto, Cole Jackson as the Scarecrow, Carson Horner as the Tin Man, Josh Hays as the Cowardly Lion, Chelsea Emmick as Glinda the Good Witch and Parker Megrue as the Wizard. 

All the favorite characters from the film were represented, including the people of Kansas, Munchkinland and the Emerald City, as well as crows, flying monkeys, Winkies, and the cyclone. The parts of the trees were played by Coach Lovvorn, the head of school and athletic director, Coach Alexander, the wrestling coach and Coach Hill, the baseball coach. 

The crew did an excellent job with quick changes of props and scenery, management of microphones and sound cues. The makeup by the stylists was amazing and made the costumes complete. 

The evening featured Tatiana’s amazing singing, a jitterbug dance number and “Dorothy’s Dessert Bar” during intermission. 

Finally, as the musical came to an end, there was a tribute to everyone who played a role in creating the First Baptist Academy’s “Wizard of Oz.”