‘The Wizard of Oz’ opens next Friday in Sturgis

Nicholas Ware is two-for-two when it comes to playing title roles in family-friendly fantasy musicals. Sturgis Civic Players audiences knew him as Willy Wonka last year, and starting Friday, November 15, they’ll know him as “The Wizard of Oz.”

“There’s a certain amount of pressure, but it’s also extremely fun,” said Ware, who also plays Professor Marvel. “Some of Oz’s lines are some of the most iconic lines in any type of fiction, ever. Being able to do this and add a lot to it is a ton of fun.”

“The Wizard of Oz” will be performed three times at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, 201 N. Nottawa St., Sturgis. There will be 7 p.m. performances Friday, November 15, and Saturday, November 16, plus a 2 p.m. performance Sunday, November 17.

Tickets are $15 for both children and adults. They can be purchased by visiting sturgisboxoffice.com. Children ages 2 and under are free with adults in the same seat.

Co-directed by Michelle Klar and Loren Corbin Livingston, with assistant direction by Laura Kemp and Amanda Lewis, “The Wizard of Oz” is a full-length stage show based on the 1939 MGM movie. It was previously put on by the Sturgis Civic Players in 2008.

“We initially picked ‘The Music Man,’ but couldn’t get the rights because there is a professional touring group doing the show right now,” Klar said. “We were thinking of another show to involve kids of different ages, and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was the perfect choice.”

While Watershed Voice wasn’t able to interview Carissa Reiber, who plays Dorothy and is almost constantly on stage during the musical, we did speak with a cross-section of leading performers in between scenes and songs.

“It’s really fun to come here every night and be here with my theatre family, being here with people I wouldn’t otherwise meet,” said Chantel Horn, who plays Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Nearly 50 local performers, including Frankie the Goldendoodle as Toto, are in “The Wizard of Oz.” The show has been in production since late August.

“I think it’s more fun to do shows with kids. It makes it more fun for me,” Klar said.

Colin Eastman, who plays Hunk the farmhand and the Scarecrow, is also delighted by talented costars.

“The first time I got to see the Lollipop Guild go out and do their bit, my arms went up in the air so high,” Eastman said. “Those kids were amazing. They were hilarious and dedicated. It was the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

This is actually Horn’s second time playing the Wicked Witch, having done so previously in high school.

“Coming back and doing it again has been fun to revisit,” Horn said. “It’s really fun to revisit that, to play make believe. I’m not that kind of person. I’m pretty bubbly and outgoing and positive. To be able to play that opposite side of myself is fun.”

Seeing “The Wizard of Oz” live on stage is a special experience, Ware said. Dorothy’s three best friends agree.

“There’s a lot of scenes that will make anyone laugh,” said Uriah Geroux, who plays farmhand Zeke and the Cowardly Lion.

Ryan Davis, who plays farmhand Hickory and the Tinman, recalled getting to see the latter role’s costume for the first time.

“It’s the most challenging costume I’ve ever had, and I think our costumer did a great job with it,” Davis said.

Additional featured performers include Ella Bright as Glinda the Good Witch of the North, Mary Sutter as Aunt Em, Paul Rooyakers as Uncle Henry and the Winkie General, and Kohl Gonser as the Emerald City Guard and Nikko. There’s also a full ensemble as Munchkins, crows, trees, winkies, jitterbugs, Ozians, flying monkeys, poppies, dancing snowflakes, and dancing poppies.

“The Wizard of Oz” features music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, who worked from L. Frank Baum’s novel. The Sturgis Civic Players production is choreographed by Elizabeth M. Smith and presented through a special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.