Legacy Traditional to stage ‘The Wizard of Oz’

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Maricopa has its own Munchkins, and they will take their bows in a local production of “The Wizard of Oz” Feb. 20-21.

For five years, Legacy Traditional School has staged musical productions, with growing success. This year more than 100 students are participating.

Director Michelle Wagner has been in charge of the production for three years, guiding the students through performances of “The Music Man” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

“Generally what we look for is something that is close to their grade level and something that can accommodate 100-plus students,” said Wagner, who is understatedly called the music teacher at LTS.

“The Wizard of Oz” was a perfect fit because it allows for groups of singers and dancers to come on stage as well as the central cast. The production includes 15 scenes and the songs fans of the 1939 movie will know by heart.

Though there have been several versions of the story by L. Frank Baum enacted over the years, Wagner said this one is similar to the Broadway version.

Aliyah Munguia stars as Dorothy, with Jacob Snoddy as Scarecrow, Noah Butler as Lion, Kobe Hinton as Tin Man, Emily Goncalves as the Wicked Witch of the West, Taya Johnson as Glinda, and Jayson Snoddy as the Wizard of Oz.

Watch for the Munchkins, the winged monkeys, the Jitterbugs, the mean apple trees and the Ozians.

Familiar songs include “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Yellow Brick Road,” “If I Only Had a Brain,” “We’re off to See the Wizard” and (not to give anything away) “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead.”

The story follows a young farm girl in Kansas who is carried by a tornado to the magical land of Oz, where she finds herself caught in a battle between good and evil.

The preparation began last year during the cast party after the “Alice” production. Options for new productions were put on a poster board, and the children voted.

“Oh, they love it. They all came in wanting to play Dorothy, of course, so there was lots of competition,” Wagner said. “They all come in singing their songs. They want to learn. They learn their choreography very fast, and they’re wanting to get into their costumes and ask questions and memorize their lines very quickly.”

The production relies on a large group of volunteers, teachers and parents. Jennifer Snoddy is stage assistant, prop master and costume lead. Matt Decker is the sound/lighting/microphone technician and carpentry lead and is in charge of make-up design.

Kasi Johnson and Cindy Jones are choreography managers. Julie Shoemaker is the stage crew manager, with Cheri Moore as assistant.

Scores were involved in making props, building sets, painting sets and helping – literally – behind the scenes.

Work and casting started in August.

“It really challenges them to reach above to higher levels,” Wagner said. “It means getting themselves up on stage and using not just their speaking voice but their singing voice and moving their bodies in ways they’re not used to.”

Though those involved in sports know something about teamwork, Wagner said this endeavor has different kind of feel as they work all year together.

***ADVERTISEMENT***She said having a big production at the end of so many months of work gives them a feeling of a job well done. “That’s irreplaceable,” she said.

The performances are Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Feb. 21 as well. Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. Performances are in the gym. LTS is at 17760 N. Regent Drive.

For information, call 520-423-999 or email [email protected].