By Gillian Brunette
There can’t be too many people who have never heard of the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The story of little Dorothy Gale of Kansas and her friends Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion in the Land of Oz has been a firm favourite with children and parents since the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum was first published in 1900.
The book was soon followed by a 1902 musical play extravaganza, titled The Wizard of Oz, and in 1939 was made into an American musical-fantasy film of the same name. The film is still screened on television today, notably at Thanksgiving on several American channels.
Now, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the North Muskoka Players and the Huntsville Rotary Club, the Wizard of Oz will once again take the stage, this time at the Algonquin Theatre.
“I really miss the old Huntsville Rotary musicals. They were great community productions. The last one was in 1995 and that was directed by (the late) Jane Hutcheson and music was by Lynn Sargeant,” said North Muskoka Players producer Gregg Evans.
With an idea forming in his mind, Evans approached festival of the arts general manager Rob Saunders this past spring.
“I said I’d like to resurrect the big community musicals, marry the North Muskoka Players with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and bring Rotary back in,” said Evans. “Both organizations liked the idea.”
The proposal went to the festival board at its last meeting and it was agreed by the members that the festival should underwrite the cost of the production. Rotary will provide technical and backstage support.
“Wizard is tricky and I need the festival and Rotary to make it work. I would never have attempted it on my own,” Evans said.
The one stipulation put forward by the festival board was for an open casting call to involve as many members of the community as possible.
Evans also agreed to direct the first show. “I chose Wizard of Oz because the show transcends generations. Whether you are five or 85, everyone loves the Wizard of Oz.”
The show will require a cast of at least 50, plus 15 musicians, and that number again to help with make-up, set design and construction, props, and costumes, said Evans.
“There will be a total of 100 to 120 people involved. There are lots of talented people in town, and we will need people of all ages.”
The staging is very ornate, very technical, Evans continued. “There are flying monkeys and flying witches. Even Toto, Dorothy’s little dog, will be a child in a dog’s costume.”
The casting call, for anyone in whatever capacity, who is interested in becoming a part of the lavish production, is asked to be at the Algonquin Theatre on Nov. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Evans is also hoping to draw the interest from the town’s youth. “We will need lots of kids to play parts in Munchkinland. Munchkins, trees, poppies, flying monkeys and Winkies, the Wicked Witch of the West’s soldiers.”
Auditions will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, with eight shows scheduled over the last two weeks of April 2009.
Presenting a production of this magnitude does not come cheap. Royalties alone are in the region of $8,000, said Evans.
“It cost $42,000 to produce Jesus Christ Superstar. Big productions are expensive, but will always fill seats.”
Evans is hoping this musical will be the first of what will become an annual event. He already has other shows in mind, including the King and I and Music Man.
“It will be great to resurrect what was once a wonderful Huntsville tradition and bring back the big community musical.”
