Life

Slideshow: 'Wiz' this weekend at EHHS

Yellow Brick Dancers perform.

By Bill Moss, Published: April 18, 2013

A terrific Dorothy supported by a well-cast Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion and an ensemble ranging from ages 7 to 18 are set to deliver a lively production of "The Wiz" this week at East Henderson High School.

Directed by Zach Walker, "The Wiz" will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the Michelle Burns Auditorium.
The modern-day musical adaptation is largely faithful to the classic 1939 movie version of L. Frank Baum's 1900 story. It begins on a tumbledown farm in Kansas, but the tornado sets Dorothy down in Oz, just like the original story.
If Monday night's dress rehearsal was any indication, classmates, parents and theater patrons will love this show. Shekinah Camp has the pipes and the heart to carry the production. With the help of her beloved sidekicks — played by Ryan Jalernpan, Suart Dunlap and Sean Skrivanek — and the lively score by a 19-member pit orchestra, the whole show looks like a visual and musical treat for all.
An energetic ensemble cast plays everything from Yellow Brick Road dancers to red poppies to munchkins. Assisting Walker are what he calls "the five headed monster" of music and dance teachers: Dana Drama Club teacher Kristen Walter, choreographer Margaret Stone, chorus teacher and vocal coach Katie Stephens, band director Taylor Jandes (who plays percussion and auxiliary sounds in the pit) and strings teacher and pit orchestra conductor Elisabeth Terry.
Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens (65+), are available at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at the school office during regular hours Monday-Friday. Call 697-4768 for more information.
The cast:
Aunt Em...Jessica Staton
Dorothy...Shekinah Camp
Uncle Henry...Jared Ward
Addaperle...Hannah Daniels
Yellow Brick Road...Emily Holbert, Julia Haynes, Mason Zimmer,
Corrie Stephenson, Lucy Walker
Scarecrow...Ryan Jalernpan
Tin Man...Stuart Dunlap
Lion...Sean Skrivanek
Gate Keeper...Mason Zimmer
Citizen 1...Brandy Lyda
Citizen 2...Emily Rigling
Citizen 3...Kendall Gotay
Citizen 4...Daniel Miller
Citizen 5...Jesse Cairnes
Citizen 6...Nikki Armentrout
The Wiz...Corey Boeh
Evillene...Jessica Staton
Lord High Underling...Breeana Clayton
Soldier Messenger...Corrie Stephenson
Winged Monkey...Kendall Gotay
Glinda...Emily Holbert

Dana Elementary Ensemble
Kayleigh Benfield, Phillip Eddington, Aidan Hackett, Baylee Clayton, Ayrial Gordon, Tre Gordon, Hannah Frisbee, Lindsey Foushee, Morgan Hill, Deakkon Skinner, Linnea Harris, Izabella Watson, Sara Ward, Tiffany Allen, Grant Roberts, Kyira Fisher, Tom Walter, Sam Walter, Morgan Stubbs, Aspen Thompson, Hayley Shelton, Samantha Waldby, Brianna Lopez

Pit Orchestra
Sarah McCoy...piano
Ryan Haynes...violin
Cara Thomsen...violin
Lucy Campbell...violin
Brendan Joyce...violin
Xochitl Carrillo...cello
Adam Martin...cello
Devon Mumaugh...electric bass
Wayne Morgan...electric guitar
Kristen Tadlock...flute/alto sax
Jackie Martin...clarinet/tenor sax
Michaela Orr...baritone sax/flute
Austin Herbert...alto sax
Zach Henderson...trumpet
Brittany Ward...baritone
Mitch Dennison...trombone
Whitney Ward...horn
Scott Danielson...drums
Taylor Jandes...auxiliary sounds