This year the Gavilan College Student Theater Arts Repertory
(STAR) invites everyone to see the wizard, when their production of
the Wizard of Oz opens this weekend.
By MEGAN BAKKER
Staff Writer
This year the Gavilan College Student Theater Arts Repertory (STAR) invites everyone to see the wizard, when their production of the Wizard of Oz opens this weekend.
The show, which debuts Friday at 7 p.m. and continues Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m., stars local children from ages eight to 15. The STAR program encompasses a three- to four-week session that covers the entire play’s production, from casting to the final show. During the four weeks, kids also attend workshops and play games that teach them the basics of acting, singing and dancing.
“All of our games teach them something about theater,” said STAR Leader Caitlin Baiko.
Cody Mendiola, who began attending the program when he was eight and is now his seventh year, said he likes how everyone’s very close.
“Its just a close environment where you can be yourself,” said Mendiola, who plays Uncle Henry. ”And I like to act.”
Even more, living in the Gilroy area isn’t a requirement to attend the program. Violet Fratzke lives in Oahu, Hawaii, and traditionally vacations in Gilroy during the summer. She started STAR two years ago, after her older brother had gotten involved in the program.
“I’ve been here for two years and already I’m better than my brother,” said Fratzke.
Fratzke’s home town gives her an edge over other students during the full-cast opening number. It’s a Polynesian-inspired dance to an acoustic rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” Director Jose ”Pepe Espinoza,” who prefers to be called Mr. Pepe, said that he had been having a rough week when a friend played this version of the song to him.
“It lifted my heart and my spirits,” he said, and immediately decided to use it.
Wizard of Oz plays at the Gavilan College Theater. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $8 for kids under 12, and are available at www.ticketguys.com or by calling (408) 848-4717.
