VVHS Drama Club Presents “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”

A cyclone carries Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to the magical land of Oz, where they encounter all the famous characters from the pen of L. Frank Baum: the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodsman, the rubber-legged Scarecrow, Glinda the Good Witch and the evil Witch of the West, who is determined to destroy Dorothy and steal the secret of the silver slippers. Audiences were swept away and taken to Oz when they stepped through the doors to Valley View High School’s theater; the group performed Tim Kelly’s adaptation “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” from Oct. 16 through 18. Valley View High School (CCHS) theater teacher Jeanine Lopez said, “One of the essential joys of childhood and indeed one of most enduring memories for me as an adult is the classic fantasy of “The Wizard of Oz.” Whether you were introduced to the four main characters by the original story in book form, or by one of the many film versions, you were, no doubt, caught up in its magic and the simple story line with strong values. Its whimsy, humor, honest emotions and clearly drawn, unforgettable characters have probably been planted in your memory bank forever.” With this in mind, Lopez explained that the VVHS cast looked to capture the classic in their “own, very different and creative way.” The adaptation even adds a few songs to its repertoire, including Aerosmith’s “Walk this Way,” Heart’s “Barracuda,” “In the City,” originally sung by Joe Walsh and later recorded by The Eagles, and other musical numbers like “Gangsta of Paradise,” “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody,” “Macarena” and “Reunited.” “The play is filled with wonderful stage thrills, like the escape from the dark forest of the Fighting Trees. And we don’t want to forget the awesome and funny meetings with the great Oz himself. Eventually Dorothy defeats the evil witch, finds a way to return to Kansas, and her companions have their wishes granted.” Lopez also added that the show was submitted for review by the California Educational Theatre Association. “Valley View High School hopes to remount this show at the CETA festival in January,” said Lopez. If not selected, she shared that students will “still attend the festival to participate in workshops and compete for individual scholarships.”