Whidbey Children's Theater Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ, Now thru 7/14

Tickets are now on sale for the Whidbey Children's Theater production of The Wizard of Oz. The show opens tonight, June 28th and closes July 14th.

This classic tale tells of Dorothy from Kansas who is transported to magical Land of Oz after a tornado hits her home. While in the Land of Oz, Dorothy meets many new friends including a Scarecrow, Tinman, and a Cowardly Lion. These new friends journey with her to meet the Wizard of Oz to ask for a brain, a heart, courage, and a way home. Along the way they meet all kinds of fantastical people and creatures, including a good witch, a bad witch, munchkins, and even flying monkeys!

Director Bekah Zachritz hails from Kansas herself. Since arriving on Whidbey Island last summer Bekah has worked with Whidbey Children's Theater in a variety of capacities. From teaching our youngest drama to choreographing The Little Prince to performing for WCT's latest fundraiser, Bekah has been wonderful addition to the Whidbey Children's Theater family. "This work is really nourishing for me," Zachritz says, "It's felt good to step into that role and feel at home with the children, to know that I could help them create something really beautiful that they can feel proud of."

Zachritz is excited to have two of her closest friends from Kansas working with her on the show as costumer and set designer. Kat and Kris Carlson, local artists and Waldorf teachers, help to make this a really unique and special production.

The Wizard of Oz has many scene changes, which has presented a challenge in Whidbey Children's Theater's black box theater. Born of the constraints of this small space, Zachritz and Kris Carlson created an unusual idea for the Oz set. "We are using the medium of chalkboard art to bring a mystical quality to our production. Kris will design the backdrop and teach the actors how to draw it throughout the performance. The actors will then illustrate the scenes with chalkboard art as they are happening."

"I think stories can be told anywhere and that theater can be done anywhere." Says Zachritz, "Focusing on telling the story is a great place to put our energy. The idea of having art involved in this production was born of the idea of creating magic through simplicity."

So, follow the yellow brick road to Whidbey Children's Theater for this fun and unique telling of The Wizard of Oz!

PERFORMANCES:

Fri. June 28th 7:30pm

Sat. June 29th 7:30pm

Sun. June 30th 2:00pm *Family Show

CHOOCHOKAM WEEKEND:

Fri. July 5th 7:30pm

Sat. July 6th 2:00pm

Sun. July 7th 2:00pm

Fri. July 12th 7:30pm

Sat. July 13th 7:30pm *Family Show

Sun. July 14th 2:00pm

Ticket Prices: Adult: $12, Senior: $10, Student: $8; *Family Shows: June 30th and July 13th -All tickets only $8. Box Office Phone: 360-221-2282. To order tickets, call and leave a message. Your call will be returned in the order it was received. Box Office hours: Wednesdays: 10am-2pm; Thursdays: 10am-2pm; Fridays: 1pm-5pm; One hour prior to each performance show time.

The Whidbey Children's Theater is located at 222 Anthes Ave. (Porter Building), Langley, WA.

Founded in 1981, Whidbey Children's Theater is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children by creating opportunities for them to discover, experience, and participate in the performing arts.

Pictured: Chloe Hood, Chloe Dickerson, Ben Germano, and Ryder Hobbs.

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