Port Colborne Operatic Society

Presents

“The Wizard of Oz”

by L. Frank Baum with Music & Lyrics of the MGM Motion Picture
Score by Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg
Produced by arrangement wth Tams-Witmark Music Library New York

LIVE ON STAGE!!

Lakeshore Catholic High School Auditorium, 150 Janet Street, Port Colborne, Ontario

FEBRUARY 20-21-22-25-28, March 1-6-7-8, 2009

ALL SEATS ARE RESERVED: TICKET PRICE $17.00 per seat
CURTAIN: 8 p.m. all evening performances
CURTAIN: 2 p.m. SUNDAYS (Matinee only)

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE CAST OR ROSSMANS CLOTHING STORE
RESERVATION DESK OPENS, Saturday, January 31st, 2009, 9 a.m. to Noon

"Friends over 55 Center" -Fielden Ave., Pt Colborne
Reservation Desk: Rossmans Clothing February 2nd to March 6th

ADVANCE ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN BY THE CAST ONLY IN PREPARATION FOR RESERVED SEATING OR GIFT GIVING CERTIFICATES

THEATRE PARTIES: For groups over 25 tickets please contact the business manager 905-834-9318.

There will be one "open" seating matinee on Saturday, February 28th, 2009, Curtain 2 p.m.- No reserved seating.

The Story

It is an undisputed fact that THE WIZARD OF OZ is, and will always be, one of the greatest musicals for pleasing an audience of any age. The first stage production opened in Chicago June 16, 1902 and introduced the fabulous memorable characters we have grown to love: Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion and of course Dorothy Gale.

Dorothy, like so many girls her age, dreams frequently of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her home and carries her away...over the rainbow to "Munchkinland" in the The Land of Oz. The Munchkins hail Dorothy as a heroine, because in landing her house has accidentally killed the Wicked Witch of the East, who had long tormented the Munchkins. Glinda, the kind Witch of the North, tells Dorothy the only way she can return home to Kansas is through help from the Great Oz. Directions down the Yellow Brick Road are given overshadowed by the Wicked Witch of the West, sister of the dead witch, who vows revenge. Along the route Dorothy meets up with the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion who join her in her journey to see the great Oz in Emerald City. When they finally get to the Emerald City they find it is not easy to see Oz and when they do he decrees that he will only help them achieve their goals if they bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy's sworn enemy. The Wicked Witch hearing of this makes plans of her own to get the red slippers from Dorothy. Good prevails over evil and in a glamorous ending all get what they are wishing for.

The Music

The stage show follows very closely the score for the MGM movie starring Judy Garland, with "Over the Rainbow", "Ding, Dong The Witch is Dead", "Follow the Yellow Brick Road", "If I Only Had a Heart/Brain/the Nerve", "We're Off to See the Wizard", "The Merry Old Land of Oz”, “If I Were King of the Forest”

Meet Our Leading Characters

VANESSA VELLA AS "DOROTHY GALE" (Wainfleet) with Travolta as "Toto"		JAMIE MOWAT AS "SCARECROW" (Port Colborne)
TIM BARNAI AS "TINMAN" (Port Colborne	WAYNE SMALLDON AS "COWARDLY LION" (Fort Erie)	GEORGE DOROS AS "THE WIZARD" (Welland)

Stage Manager; Mrs. Jackie Crawford 905-834-9406	Lighting: Mr. Bryan Biller 905-735-8051	Costumes: Mrs. Grace Place 905-894-1103
Stage Properties: Mrs. Pat Ballin 905-834-9307	Set Designer/Scenic Artist: Mr. Jim Crawford 905-834-9406	President: William Marshall 905-835-2364
Sound: Mr. Ivan Plamondon 905-735-9118	Stage Make-up: Mrs. Anita Mayne 90 834-7094	Head of Technical Services: Mr. Gary Gaverluk 905-834-4735

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