Fremont Community Theatre to stage 'Wizard of Oz'

FREMONT — The Fremont Community Theatre, 1515 Dickinson St., is to present "The Wizard of Oz" this weekend. Performance dates are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and on May 20 and 21; 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and on May 21 and 22. Tickets can be reserved by calling the box office hotline at 419-332-0695. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors or military and $5 for students (grade 12 and under). Previous season ticket holders with unused stubs will be honored for this show. "The Wizard of Oz" is presented through a special arrangement with Tams-Witmark, a Concord Theatricals Company. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum's beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film, earned 2 1940 Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Song ("Over the Rainbow") and Best Music, Original Score. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide. The production will feature songs "Over The Rainbow," "Munchkinland (Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead)," "If I Only Had A Brain/A Heart/The Nerve," "We're Off To See The Wizard (Follow The Yellow Brick Road)," "The Jitterbug," "The Merry Old Land of Oz," "Poppies (Optimistic Voices)" and "If I Were King Of The Forest." The production is under the direction of Jim Posey, Assistant Director Lea-Ann Wilson, and Music Director Brian Bryant. Cast members are as follows: Ivy McElfresh (Dorothy Gale); Leslie Childers (Glinda, The Good Witch of the North); Jim Posey/Tim Bolton (Emerald City Guard); Curtis Brown (Scarecrow); Scott Havice (Tinman); Floyd Collins (Lion); Heidi Sarvis-Sapp (Almira Gulch); Sarah Edwards (Wicked Witch of the West); Wayne Biggert (Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizzard of Oz); Jacob Studebaker-Ellis (Hunk); Justin Nye (Hickory); Timothy Button (Zeke); Tricia McElfresh (Aunt Em/Emily Gale); Doug Franks (Uncle Henry/Henry Gale); Logan Taylor (Mayor); Jonah Mendoza (Coroner); Grayson Bloom (Barrister); Maylee Frey (Fiddler); Molly Brudzinski (Braggart); Jenna Madell (City Father #1); Grace Biggert (City Father #2); Kambrie Franks, Gloriana Parman, Gracie Root (The Lullaby League); Nicko Cooks, Marcus Cooks, Nora Ginnever (The Lollipop Guild); and Kaleb Franks (Nikko). The Oz Ensemble are Isobel Berlin, Toni Biggert, Elise Connor, Saebra Cooks, Ember Craun, Karlie Franks, Kensie Franks, Miranda Garlock, Daphne Holland, Carlie Hotz, Bridgett Hunt, Gwendilyn Kiser, Elliana Labenne, Dusti Minier, Jenna Nadell, Madyson Ranzenberger, Ryder Rogers, Gracie Root, Cora Sooy, Shelby Thornhill, Kristine Weiss and Madeline Weiss.