San Benito Stage Company’s musical performance of ‘The Wizard of
Oz’ opens this tonight.
There won’t be a shocking end, but expect a few surprises along the Yellow Brick Road as San Benito Stage Company puts on “The Wizard of Oz” production starting this weekend.
The story ingrained in the childhood conscience of generation after generation makes its way to the Granada Theatre for shows over the next two weekends.
“It follows the movie pretty well, with a few surprises,” said Director Tricia Harvey.
The community theater company’s summer musical production will involve 52 cast members, including 22 kids playing Munchkins and a few others as monkeys, she said. Adult and teen actors once again will play the lead roles, with Jamie Ballesta as “Dorothy.”
This show, for which preparations started in February, was Harvey’s first time working with children. She called it a “fun” experience and said the group included many “very talented kids.”
“The families work well together,” Harvey said.
Harvey touted this particular production in saying the group has “taken a step up from community theater.”
“The characters are all into their parts,” she said.
As are members of the 22-piece orchestra playing the show’s music under the direction of Stan George.
George said the show is going to “bring back a lot of memories for people” and he particularly commended the production’s younger performers.
“Some of the young people are just very good,” said George, who noted how 18 members of the orchestra, some San Benito High School students, are from the county.
And with community theater, fans can expect they might see some neighbors or other peers in the show.
“The neat thing about community theater is that people know each other,” George said. “They’re not trying to be perfect. They’re trying to have a good time.”
Add it all together, and Harvey noted how such productions are “very costly to put on.”
But she pointed out how the ticket price – $16 for adults, $3 less for kids – isn’t much more than going to a movie.
“We need as much support as we can get,” she said.
“WIZARD OF OZ” PREVIEW
WHAT: “The Wizard of Oz” production by the San Benito Stage Company
WHEN: tonight through Sunday, 7:30 p.m. evening performances, 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee; July 24-27, 7:30 p.m. evening performances, 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee
WHERE: Granada Theatre, 336 Fifth St.
ON THE WEB:
See the San Benito Stage Company’s Web site at www.sanbenitostage.org.
