Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to the cast and crew of OZ!

Rehearsal Saturday November 1-1pm on Main Stage

Ozian Dance rehearsals continue (all Ozians, Dorothy, Triplets, Guard). We're pressing on with the big dance number and scene.

Wed October 29th

Busy day for Oz tonight:

5:00pm Production Meeting for production Crew in the Board Room.

6:00pm Head shots for selected cast members in the lobby.

6:00pm Main Stage rehearsal for reviewing Dorothy and Triplets, Witches if available.

No Rehearsal Tuesday October 28th

There will be NO rehearsal on Tuesday October 28th for Wizard of Oz.
We have gotten ahead on the schedule (again) and have already blocked the scenes.

Enjoy the night off...... Head shots for selected actors are scheduled for Wed at 6pm (see entry below).

Thanks

Head Shot Photos for Wizard of Oz

The following cast members are been selected to have the head shot photos taken on Wed October 29th at 6:00pm in the Lobby of the Theatre:
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, Glinda, Wicked Witch, Munchkin Mayor, Emerald City Guard, Winkie General, Nikko

We have headshots already for Toto, Tin Man, Mayor and Scarecrow. If you would like to have your headshot taken for future shows, please feel free to come down between 6pm and 7pm.

Introducing Munchkin Mayor

David Zlotnicki is cast in the Wizard of Oz as Mayor of Munchkinland. He most recently appeared in The Sound of Music as Kurt von Trapp. David is very active in theatre, most notably in the FCOA Youth Theatre. Look for David to be leading the Munchkins in welcoming Dorothy to Munchkinland.

David is shown here modeling the ears making up the Munchkin costume.

Rehearsal October 27

Rehearsal for Monday October 27 is on the Main Stage.
Rehearsing Act One Scene 10 and 11.
Need Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, Wicked Witch, Trees

Rehearsals Sunday October 26th

Sunday October 26th

4:00pm Munchkin Costume Meeting-for all munchkins who are available. We shall be at the Warehouse on 12th Street (near the Child Development Center).

5:30pm Munchkin Rehearsal Main Stage. Continue work on Scenes 6 and 7

7:00pm Act Two Scenes 6 and 7 (Haunted Forest-Jitterbug, Dorothy, Triplets, Ghosts and Monkeys)

Wizard of Oz stories needed...

Hello cast and crew,
We are planning a series of press releases and stories to promote Wizard of Oz and wish to have some of your stories about Wizard in them. So we're looking for stories about things like growing up with Wizard of Oz, being in the show before, watching it every year on TV, meeting a munchkin in real life, being scared of the Witch, etc etc etc.

If you have something you would like to share, please type up a small paragraph and email it back to me. We will use them in the releases and also feature them on the blog.....

Thanks ,Ted

Rehearsal Sat. October 25th

Dance rehearsal is scheduled for Sat. October 25th in the LOBBY of the theatre (due to a chamber orchestra rehearsal on the main stage).

1:00pm Oz Ensemble-continue working on Merry Old Land of Oz.

3:00pm Jitterbug-Dorothy and Triplets, Ghosts (from Oz Ensemble).

See you Sat.

No Rehearsal Thursday Oct 23

We will not be having rehearsal on Thursday October 23rd as we have made progress ahead of the schedule. So enjoy a night off for Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Crows....

Reminder that Saturday's dance rehearsal is now 1pm for all Ozians to continue work on Act Two-Scene 2; and Jitterbug at 3pm with Dorothy and the Triplets, plus selected ghosts.

Note from Director

Wow! That is all I can say! Wow!

What an amazing experience so far we have had with this show and our casting and rehearsals. From an almost unheard 121 people auditioning to one of the largest casts (if not the largest outside of Youth Theatre) to hit the BCT stage, the Wizard is making Barrow history. I am really thrilled over the response of the cast to jump right in and learn lines, blocking and choreography. The response to the addition of a second matinee has been enthusiastic-and why not. Any additional chance to show off the talents, skills, and personalities that this cast possesses is welcomed.

And we have an amazing production management team. From "Lux" on Music and "Jacks" on Choregraphy, to our assistant "Stump" and producters, Ed on the set, and many more....we are well on our way to a fantastic end to Civic's 50th Anniversary year.

Last night, Jane Judson, one of Civic's founding members, sat in on rehearsal. As I always do when I see Jane, I took the opportunity to ask what she thought. She was delighted to see so many people interested in carrying on the Civic tradition of community theatre and can't wait to see the show.

And we still have a few tricks up our sleeves.....

Kudos to all in the cast and crew. You are what is making this show!

Ted

Rehearsal Wed October 22

Tonight's rehearsal is music for the principles - Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Glinda, plus Guard, Trees, and Crows on Main Stage.

We will also try to fit in some blocking catch-up for anyone who has missed and work ahead on some areas. Please be patient tonight as we will be working as best we can.

Main Stage tonight.

Wizard of Oz adds SECOND MATINEE Dec 13 at 2pm

Dateline: Franklin, PA

In a bold and forward move, the FCOA Board of Directors, in discussion with the Wizard of Oz production team, has added a FIFTH show to the Oz schedule. We are now pleased to present a Saturday Matinee at 2pm on December 13th, in addition to our other scheduled shows.

Tickets are available for all five performances: Thursday Dec 11 at 8pm (Opening Night), Friday Dec 12 at 8pm, Saturday December 13th at 2pm AND 8pm, and Sunday December 14th at 2pm.

Don't wait until the last minute. Contact the Box Office at 814-437-3440 or 1-800-537-7769 to order your tickets.

October 21 Rehearsal-Tuesday 6pm

We shall be in the Little Theatre tonight rehearsing music with the Ozians, and Dorothy and the Triplets. 6pm - please use the Side Alley Door (same as auditions) as their is a grant award ceremony in the theatre tonight. Bring your script and music.

You might want to bring a jacket or sweater as the Little Theatre has been chilly for a few days.

Oct 20th Rehearsal

Rehearsal for Monday October 20th is at 6pm and we will be working the Kansas Scenes (Act One-Scenes 1, 3, 5 and Act Two Scene 14). Need Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch and Toto.

We shall be in the Lobby to start at 6pm. Use alley door to come into the lobby.

A couple of cast pics....

Molly Burkett poses with Moesley....Molly is playing Dorothy and Moesley is playing Toto in this production of Wizard of Oz. They've been bonding at rehearsal and ready to hit the road.

Music Director Steve Luxbacher begins a music rehearsal with the Munchkins.

Sunday Rehearsal Oct 19th

Rehearsal Schedule for October 19th (Sunday)

5:30pm Munchkin Ensemble to rehearse Act One-Scene 6&7

7:00pm Oz Ensemble-work on staging for Act Two-Scene 2 and Scene 12
(all Ozians inc. Trees, Crows, Monkeys, and Winkies, and all Emerald City folk)

We will be rehearsing on Main Stage-use Back Entrance on Buffalo St.

Rehearsal Sat. Oct 18

Saturday's rehearsal (Oct 18) will be at 1pm on the Main Stage. We will begin choreographing Act II-Scene II, Emerald City, "Merry Old Land of Oz." Please come in comfortable clothing and footwear to dance in. Use the Buffalo St. entrance to the back of the theatre.

All Ozians (everyone cast for Emerald City AND Monkies/Winkies/Trees/Crows), plus Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and Emerald City Guard.

Rehearsal Oct 16

Tonight's rehearsal (Thur Oct 16) will be on the Main Stage - will need Dorothy, Toto and Professor/Wizard to block Scenes I-4 and I-2.

Cast Meetings Tonight (Oct 15)

Cast meetings will be held tonight for all cast in the Wizard of Oz on the Main Stage:
6pm - Munchkin Ensemble (including Snowkins)
7pm - Ozian Ensemble (including Trees, Crows, Winkies and Monkeys)

We will be handing out and discussing rehearsal information and expectations, t-shirt order forms, and scripts/singing materials. Please be prepared to have your $20 refundable deposit ready for all rented script materials you are using. This deposit will be returned at the end of the show when your materials are returned on-time and in good condition. Checks payable to FCOA.

See all cast tonight!

CAST ANNOUNCEMENT!

Today is the day that filming began on the MGM movie" The Wizard of Oz" starring Judi Garland....so it is only fitting we announce....

The following people have been invited to be part of the cast for FCOA's 2008 50th Anniversary production of The Wizard of Oz!

A finalized cast list will be presented in about a week when additional parts are assigned in rehearsals.

Dorothy Gale- Molly Burkett
Toto- Moesley Holland-Smith
Aunt Em- Peg Hennessy
Uncle Henry- Tom Last
Zeke/ Cowardly Lion- Mike Leisher
Hickory/Tin Woodsman- Jacob Krupitzer
Hunk/ Scarecrow- Bret Sloan

Professor Chester Marvel/ Wizard of Oz- Justin Stewart
Miss Almira Gultch/Wicked Witch of the West- Jaime Agnello
Glinda, Good Witch of the North- Linda Leisher

Munchkin Ensemble:
Mayor- David Zlotnicki
Samuel Bishop, Wesley Bishop, Bridget Carter, Makenzie Cavalline, Hannah Dean, Hannah Dickson, Sydney Dunlap, Kachina Earhart, Lauren Greenlee, Kristina Hartle, Maria Kleck, Steven Kline, Ashlyne Lawrence, Grace Lawrence, Katie Lawson, Hannah McQuaide, Rachel Marlatt, Cole Perrine, Jordyn Plymire, Chloe Rapp, Isabel Romanowski, Gabriella Russell, Olivia Russell, Ryan Schiffer, Regan Scott, Ali Shepard, Caroline Stevens, Car Sorrena
The roles of Coroner, Barrister, City Fathers, Tots (Lullaby Guild), Tough Guys (Lollipop League), Fiddler, Braggart, and School Teachers will be assigned in rehearsals.
Some of the Munchkin Ensemble will be asked to be Ghosts and Snow People (for poppy scene).

Emerald City Ensemble
Emerald City Guard- James A. Parker
Destanie Armagost, Stephen Bishop, Liesl Bittner, Ben Bodamer, Jeri Bolton, Brett Broatz, Gracie Burwell, Stephen Dennis, John Dominic-Heim, Kirk Douglass, Priscilla Earhart, Amelia Eiger, Karen Eismont, Jenna Fulkerson, Miya Gossett, Allison Greenlee, Molly Hennessy, Arron Hoffman, Mike Hovis, Anne Marie Hutchinson, Lizzy Ivell, Darcie Jenkins, Jill Kellner, Katie Kirby-Rogers, Amanda Knecht, Chris Knecht, Leisel Kober, Joy Lamphere, Alexa Larson, Dana Larson, Tim Lyons, Tara Martin, Hannah McCarthy, Tish McClintock, Geralyn McMullen, Theresa Nestor, Hallie Palmer, Joe Perrotti, Wendy Peterson, Teddy Polk, Aaron Ritsig, Andrew Ritsig, Taylor Russell, Jocelyn Sauer, Meghan Schill, Michelle Schull, Kathleen Thompson, Sara Toombs, Erika Vorse, Rachel Webb, Jenny Williams, Chrissy Wolfgong, Alyssa Zlotnicki
The roles of Beauticians, Polishers, Manicurists, speaking lines for Oz Men and Oz Woman will be assigned in rehearsals.Some of the Emerald City Ensemble will be asked to be Ghosts and Snow People (for poppy scene).

Witch’s Winkie Army (also in Ensemble)
General – Tim Lyons
Stephen Bishop, Ben Bodamer, Brett Broatz, John Dominic-Heim, Kirk Douglass, Arron Hoffman, Mike Hovis, Teddy Polk

Witch’s Monkeys (also in Ensemble)
Nikko (Commander of Monkeys) - Joe Perrotti
Destanie Armagost, Stephen Dennis, Jill Kellner, Chris Knecht, Alexa Larson, Geralyn McMullen, Jocelyn Sauer

Some cast will also be asked to fill additional Winkie and Monkey roles….

Forest Characters (also in Ensemble)
Crows- Aaron Ritsig, Andrew Ritsig
Trees - Liesl Bittner, Jeri Bolton, Gracie Burwell, Miya Gossett, Katie Kirby-Rogers, Sara Toombs

Snow People-to be determined from cast

Ghosts-to be determined from cast

Jitterbug-To be Announced.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

Cast Announcement to be posted at 8pm Monday 10/13/08

The cast selection for Wizard of Oz will be posted at 8pm this evening. The production team is busy making calls today to all who have been cast and we thank you for your patience.

We are excited about the ethusiastic response to the audtions and had a long meeting last night to look through the pile of audition forms and make some difficult decisions.

Again, we hope to post the announcement tonight here on the blog around 8pm.

Cast Announcement to be made Monday

The audition process has come to an end and what a process.

Records have been broken with 121 people auditioning for Wizard of Oz....eight full hours of auditions over three days. The production crew spent four hours in a casting meeting tonight and have selected a cast for the 50th Anniversary production of Wizard of Oz.

Notifications will take place on Monday Oct 13th. A cast meeting will take place on Wed Oct 15 at 6pm for Munchkin/Youth Ensemble and at 7pm for Leads/Oz ensemble/Winkie and Monkey ensemble for those in the cast.

NOTE: We are in need of interested persons to help costume (even sew costumes) the show, plus stage crew and backstage monitors to help supervise the younger cast. Please email tedsmith.patio@gmail.com if you would like to help backstage in any of these roles.

Toto cast for Wizard of Oz

The part of Toto has been cast for FCOA's production of "The Wizard of Oz."

Toto will be played by Moesley Holland-Smith, a delightful seven year old shih-tzu from Franklin, PA.

Moesley is no stranger to the Barrow-Civic Theatre stage. He made a cameo appearence in the 2006 Production of "The Hollow" and was a featured ensemble performer in the 2007 production of "Sweet Charity" appearing in the Central Park opening sequence and in the Pompeii Club.

Moesely enjoys eating treats, teasing cats, and watching Animal Planet and Clean House.

Auditions continue....

Thank you to everyone who auditioned on Thursday night for the show....there was an amazing turnout of 80 people and we are very excited. And thanks for your patience those who came out to audition. We moved the process as quickly as we could while still giving each individual actor/actress the attention they deserved.

Further auditions for adults are taking place Sat 10/11 at 2pm and Sun 10/12 at 4pm. All roles, except for Toto, are open to be auditioned for. See you on the road...

AUDITIONS BEGIN!

Come on, come all. Auditions begin for The Wizard of Oz tonight!

Tonight (10/9) at 6pm for Youth at the Little Theatre, Barrow-Civic Theatre. Use the alley door - audition forms can be downloaded above right, or filled out at auditions.

General auditions continue Sat 10/11 at 2pm and Sun 10/12 at 4pm. If you cannot make tonight, please email the director at tedsmith.patio@gmail.com and we can make arrangements for you to audition this weekend.

See you at the beginning of the yellow brick road....

from the 1939 MGM Motion Picture starring Judy Garland

ONE MORE DAY!

One more day until auditions begin for the smash production of Wizard of Oz at the Barrow-Civic. Youth auditions are Thursday Oct 9 at 6pm....

The production staff have been in full swing getting the show together. Set designs are being completed today and look great. Over half our props have been gathered. And we will have a brand new green backdrop curtain we are making for this show and which will be in the theatre inventory.

Hope to see you either Thursday or this weekend (Oct 11 at 2m or Oct 12 at 4pm) for auditions...parts for all ages, small or large parts....

AUDITIONS APPROACHING

The Audition dates for Wizard of Oz are fast approaching....all ages are encouraged and invited to audition for all roles in the show.

Youth Auditions: Thursday Oct 9 at 6pm
General Auditions: Saturday Oct 11 at 2pm and Sunday October 12 at 4pm

You can click the link above right to download the audition info ahead of time or you can fill it out when you audition. Please use the Alley Door of the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

We are not auditioning dogs for the part of Toto.

See you at auditions

Characters in the Wizard of Oz.

These are the roles/parts that we are looking to cast this coming week in auditions....

Dorothy-A young girl frustrated with her sheltered life and yearning for adventure “over the rainbow.”
Aunt Em-A stern yet loving mother-figure and Dorothy’s guiding light.
Uncle Henry-Father figure to Dorothy and owner of the farm.
Hunk/Scarecrow-farmhand and companion of Dorothy in Oz; looking for a brain.
Hickory/Tin Man-farmhand and companion of Dorothy in Oz; looking for a heart.
Zeke/Cowardly Lion-farmhand and companion of Dorothy in Oz; looking for “da nerve”.
Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch of the West-Seeks vengeance on Dorothy who she believed killed her Sister, the Witch of the East.
Professor Marvel/Wizard of OZ-a charlatan; pretends to be knowledgeable and powerful to cover up his insecurities
Glinda the Good Witch of the North-Dorothy’s guiding light and protector through OZ.

The Munchkins-the childlike inhabitants of Munchkin Land, under protection of Glinda. Large ensemble including the following roles: Mayor, Barrister, Coroner, Tots, Tough Guys (lollipop guild), Fiddler, Braggart, School Teachers, City Fathers

The Emerald City Citizens-care-free, fun-loving inhabitants of the wonderful capital of OZ. Large ensemble including the following roles: Guard, Beauticians, Polishers, Manicurists, and several speaking parts.

Winkie General and the Winkie Army-enslaved by the Wicked Witch to do her bidding.

Nikko, Monkey Commander, and the Monkeys – “pet” enforcers of the Wicked Witch.

The Crows and The Trees – inhabitants of the forest; sing with Scarecrow and Tin Man.

The Jitterbug – enchants Dorothy and her companions, helped by the Ghosts who inhabit the forest.

All ages are encouraged to audition.

We are also looking interested individuals to be on the stage crew, which will have a vital part in bringing the show together.

Wizard of Oz poster released

The fantastic folks at Seneca Printing Express have printed the official Wizard of Oz poster. Look for them going up around town....feel free to copy from here and post on your facebook, myspace, or anywhere people will see it...

Props are already being assembled and costumes pulled. See you at auditions!

The Wizard