Our Next Production

“The Wizard of Oz”

by L. Frank Baum

A delightful stage version of the greatest family musical of all time. An enduring and magical art of our our culture which has survived for many generations, it continues to fascinate children of all ages—the Magical Land of Oz!

Arranged by Tams-Witmark Music Library, New York.

Tentatively scheduled for the stage February-March 2009.

What's it about?

It's the musical stage version of the beloved movie starring Judy Garland. It begins on a farm in Kansas where a tornado picks up Dorothy and her beloved dog Toto, transporting them to the magical Land of Oz. Her journey from Munchkinland, following a yellow brick road to the Emerald City, home of the great Oz, brings her in contact with a strawman, a tin man and a lion who join her on her journey. There is the battle for the red jewelled slippers between Dorothy, Glinda, the God Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. The music is well known: “Over the Rainbow”, “Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead”, “The Merry Old Land of Oz”, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, “If I Only Had a Brain.”

Casting

The cast has four main female and four males, with many cameo roles.

Dorothy-teenaged to early 20s. Dancers will be needed. Children will be cast in Munchkinland with specialities of the the “Lullaby Kids”, and the “Lollipop Kids.”

Stage Directors:

	Anne Converset – Stage Director – Society Life Member – Portrayed Ado Annie in “Oklahoma”; Lalume in “Kismet” Anne was stage director for “Brigadoon”, “Carousel”, “My Fair Lady” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” She is a resident of Port Colborne and a literacy support teacher with DSBN.
	Faye Bean - Music / Choral Director - retired teacher; resident of Fort Erie; Music Director of Society shows since 2003 “My Fair Lady”, “Carousel”, “Calamity Jane”, “42nd Street”, “Kiss Me Kate” and "The Melody Lingers On".
	Donna Moreau - Choreographer - Dance instructor with "Dance Expressions"; Member Canadian Dance Teachers Association; Tap and Jazz (Stage Division); Society Choreographer "Crazy For You", "The Melody Lingers On". Began as a dancer with Society at age 14. Resident of Port Colborne, formerly of Dunnville.

Community Partners

The Society is entering its 5th year with their community partners programme. The door is open to businesses, or interested individuals who wish to help sponsor a performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”

The Society is a registered charity #832443675RR0001.

All “partners” contributions are considered charitable donations. The current “partnership fee” is $300 which will give the donor two (2) complimentary tickets to “The Wizard of Oz”, a charitable donation receipt for tax purposes, a public acknowledgement in our show lobby, and in the printed programme, as well as an audio announcement prior to opening curtain of the performance you are sponsoring.

If you are interested please contact the society at 905-834-9318 or e-mail jd.ruiter@cogeco.ca or by fax 905-834-8955 or mail to Box 383, Port Colborne, Ontario, L3K 1B7

“It's A Wrap!”

“The Melody Lingers On—The Songs of Irving Berlin”

Nine performance run completed on March 2nd, 2008. Many plaudits received for our selection of this Musical Revue down memory lane. There were documented reports of patrons returning for up to five repeat performances—a testimony to its popularity.

Monies obtained over production costs for our latest stage production saw donations to the Toronto Sick Kids, The Port Colborne Festival of the Arts, Help A Child Smile, Have a Heart Campaign for the Niagara Children's Centre, Santa's Helpers, String of Lights and the Salvation Army, plus our Scholarship Progam. Patrons from Oakville summed up the success of “The Melody Lingers On” with a thank you card that in part said “Many thanks to the Port Colborne Operatic Society (entire cast) for an excellent show this year. It was a distinct pleasure to have been there and see so many dedicated and talented people perform. Please convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who were involved in putting on an exceptional performance. I heard many great comments from others in the audience as well—so take a bow and hold your head up high. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have seen this show and we look forward to future shows.”

This is what makes it all worthwhile...the hours of rehearsal and the anxiety, stress of “will it sell?”, “will our patrons like it?” —the Society thanks all who took the time to drop us a note and to let us know we did “good”!

We hope to see you in our audience for “The Wizard of Oz”--another huge challenge to stage...we've got our fingers crossed!