The Wiz

The Wiz

by: Filip Przybycien

“The Wiz”, a Charlie Smalls musical, was a great hit. Directed by Calvin Atkinson and accompanied by Dr. Shapiro, the musical was a huge success. Having a cast of over 50 high schoolers and over 70 middle school students, the cast performed wonderful shows, even with the weather and date change.

“The Wiz” begins like the original “Wizard of Oz” with Dorothy(Maryanne Cosgrove) and Aunt Em(Anna Luce) talking. A tornado comes along and Dorothy lands in Munchkinland, frightened and spooked that she killed the Wicked Witch of the East. Addapearle(Nell Amari) and the Munchkins(Middle School Cast) set Dorothy on her way to the Wiz. On the way, she meet the Scarecrow(Tyler Harrison), the Tinman(Leonard Meirson), and the Lion(Atamanu Hagins). They encounter Kalidahs and the horrible Poppies. When they reach the Emerald City, everyone laughs at their presence but once they see that Dorothy as the late witch’s slippers, they let her in to the Wiz(Chaz Wattley). There, they get to meet him and ask for what they want.

Act Two starts in Evillene’s(Wicked Witch of the West; Zanae Rorer) castle and her and her forced-into-labor high school ensemble. The Monkeys(Middle School Cast; Jack, Graeme, Simon, Atamosi, Kimmy, Andy, Scott) fly in to arrest the group of travelers. Dorothy luckily melts the witch and “Everybody Rejoices.” Then, with another visit to the Wiz, Dorothy loses hope due to the Wiz leaving her. Glinda and Addapearle come to the rescue and give the “click your heels three times” speech. Dorothy goes home and everybody gets what they wanted.

“The Wiz” was a hard show to perform. With all the snow days and rehearsals they had, they still managed to get through. Special thanks to all who helped the cause and always showing up when needed.