Sarah Riegel as “Dorothy” and Molly Stahl as “Lion.”
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
Taylor Lamerand as “Scarecrow.”
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Livingston Manor Central School Drama Club presented “The Wiz,” a musical retelling of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in three performances last weekend, Friday-Sunday, March 19-21.
In 1939, the film “The Wizard of Oz” featured Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a 12-year old Kansas farm girl who longs for “a place where there isn’t any trouble,” but after being knocked for a loop when her house it hit by a tornado, she dreams of being swept away with her little dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz.
In her fanciful journey, Dorothy travels the Yellow Brick Road and along the way encounters a Scarecrow (played by Ray Bolger), a Tin Man (Jack Haley), a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), along with numerous other characters including the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Rachel Barnhart as “The Wiz.”
In 1975, “The Wiz” took to Broadway as a musical in the context of African American culture, and was example of mainstream acceptance of works featuring an all-black cast. It opened on Broadway with Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Hinton Battle as Scarecrow, Tiger Haynes as the Tin Woodman, Ted Ross as Lion. The original production won seven Tony Awards, including best musical, and closed in 1979 after 1,672 performances.
In 1978 a film adaptation of “The Wiz” was released starring Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion, and Richard Pryor as the Wiz.
The Livingston Manor Central School Drama Club’s staging was presented in two acts with a total of 15 scenes and was notable in the quality of the sets as well as spirited songs including “He’s the Wiz”, “Soon As I get Home,” “Ease on Down the Road,” “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” and “Believe in Yourself,” under the direction of Chad Miller.
“Munchkins”
The cast of characters: Sarah Riegel (as Dorothy), Taylor Lamerand (Scarecrow), Danielle Fredenburg (Tinman), Molly Stahl (Lion), Rachel Barnhart (The Wiz), Ariel Galvez (Addaperle), Victoria Davis (Evillene), Rheanna Fiddle (Glinda), Alyssa Vilela (Auntie Em), Cody Wilkins (Uncle Henry), Melanie Reisner (Lord High Underling), Ami Jo Calo (Messenger), Tabitha VanWagner (Royal Gatekeeper).
Taylor Lamerand as “Scarecrow,” Danielle Fredenburg as “Tinman,” Molly Stahl as “Lion,” Sarah Riegel as “Dorothy,” and Rachel Barnhart as “The Wiz.”
In supporting roles: Ocean Heintz and Matthew Janik as the “Evil Monkeys,” Ashlynne Ratner and Christina Rodroques portaraying the “Yellow Brick Road,” and Gail Lynn Wilson and Crescent Heintz as the “Mouse Squad.” Munchins: Ayssa Viela, Tabitha VanWagner, Cindy Zheng, Farrah Mills, Rheanna Fiddle, Ami Jo calo. Kalidahs: Farrah Mills, Ami Jo Calo, Nina Zheng, Melanie Reiner; Poppies:
Jenna Zayas, Alyssa Vilela; Emerald Citizens: Brittany Fuller, Ami Jo Calo, Jenna Zayas, Cindy Zheng; and the Winkies with Farrah Mills as the Head Winkie along with the rest of the cast.
Danielle Fredenburg as “Tinman.”
“I wanted to find a musical that featured the strengths of our cast,” said Miller, Manor’s K-12 vocal and K-6 general music teacher. “Right now we’re still trying to build a male population in our second year drama program. Last year in ”Little Shop of Horrors” a couple of guys stepped up, and “The Wiz” gave us the opportunity to cast females in certain parts.”
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Wiz Wows ‘Em in Manor visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
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The Catskill Chronicle 
Wiz Wows ‘Em in Manor
March 22, 2010 by The Catskill Chronicle
Sarah Riegel as “Dorothy” and Molly Stahl as “Lion.”
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
Taylor Lamerand as “Scarecrow.”
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Livingston Manor Central School Drama Club presented “The Wiz,” a musical retelling of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in three performances last weekend, Friday-Sunday, March 19-21.
In 1939, the film “The Wizard of Oz” featured Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a 12-year old Kansas farm girl who longs for “a place where there isn’t any trouble,” but after being knocked for a loop when her house it hit by a tornado, she dreams of being swept away with her little dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz.
In her fanciful journey, Dorothy travels the Yellow Brick Road and along the way encounters a Scarecrow (played by Ray Bolger), a Tin Man (Jack Haley), a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), along with numerous other characters including the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Rachel Barnhart as “The Wiz.”
In 1975, “The Wiz” took to Broadway as a musical in the context of African American culture, and was example of mainstream acceptance of works featuring an all-black cast. It opened on Broadway with Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Hinton Battle as Scarecrow, Tiger Haynes as the Tin Woodman, Ted Ross as Lion. The original production won seven Tony Awards, including best musical, and closed in 1979 after 1,672 performances.
In 1978 a film adaptation of “The Wiz” was released starring Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion, and Richard Pryor as the Wiz.
The Livingston Manor Central School Drama Club’s staging was presented in two acts with a total of 15 scenes and was notable in the quality of the sets as well as spirited songs including “He’s the Wiz”, “Soon As I get Home,” “Ease on Down the Road,” “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” and “Believe in Yourself,” under the direction of Chad Miller.
“Munchkins”
The cast of characters: Sarah Riegel (as Dorothy), Taylor Lamerand (Scarecrow), Danielle Fredenburg (Tinman), Molly Stahl (Lion), Rachel Barnhart (The Wiz), Ariel Galvez (Addaperle), Victoria Davis (Evillene), Rheanna Fiddle (Glinda), Alyssa Vilela (Auntie Em), Cody Wilkins (Uncle Henry), Melanie Reisner (Lord High Underling), Ami Jo Calo (Messenger), Tabitha VanWagner (Royal Gatekeeper).
Taylor Lamerand as “Scarecrow,” Danielle Fredenburg as “Tinman,” Molly Stahl as “Lion,” Sarah Riegel as “Dorothy,” and Rachel Barnhart as “The Wiz.”
In supporting roles: Ocean Heintz and Matthew Janik as the “Evil Monkeys,” Ashlynne Ratner and Christina Rodroques portaraying the “Yellow Brick Road,” and Gail Lynn Wilson and Crescent Heintz as the “Mouse Squad.” Munchins: Ayssa Viela, Tabitha VanWagner, Cindy Zheng, Farrah Mills, Rheanna Fiddle, Ami Jo calo. Kalidahs: Farrah Mills, Ami Jo Calo, Nina Zheng, Melanie Reiner; Poppies:
Jenna Zayas, Alyssa Vilela; Emerald Citizens: Brittany Fuller, Ami Jo Calo, Jenna Zayas, Cindy Zheng; and the Winkies with Farrah Mills as the Head Winkie along with the rest of the cast.
Danielle Fredenburg as “Tinman.”
“I wanted to find a musical that featured the strengths of our cast,” said Miller, Manor’s K-12 vocal and K-6 general music teacher. “Right now we’re still trying to build a male population in our second year drama program. Last year in ”Little Shop of Horrors” a couple of guys stepped up, and “The Wiz” gave us the opportunity to cast females in certain parts.”
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Wiz Wows ‘Em in Manor visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
Click any service in this box to share this post with your friends!
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