Audiences will be taken ‘Over the Rainbow’ this summer for “The Wizard of Oz,” presented by Front and Centre Productions’ IGNITE Youth Theatre July 28 and 29 at 7PM and July 30 at 2PM.
In this stage adaptation of the classic movie, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, get whisked away from their home in Kansas to a magical land during a tornado. Dorothy (Katelynn Smith of Clearfield) meets Glinda, the good witch (Emma Riglin of Philipsburg) and the people of Munchkinland. Glinda shows Dorothy the yellow brick road, the path she must follow to meet the Wizard of Oz (Jace Kephart of Clearfield), who will help her return home. She also encounters the Wicked Witch of the West (Paige Tiesi of Moshannon Valley), who seeks to obtain the ruby slippers Dorothy is wearing. On the way to Oz, Dorothy meets a Scarecrow (Dawson Lynch of Clearfield), a Tin Man (Dante Engelmann of West Branch), and a Cowardly Lion (Gio Baumgarten of Philipsburg), who accompany her on her journey to Oz. Despite the obstacles Dorothy faces on her journey, she finds her way to Oz where she realizes ‘there’s no place like home.’
Producers Stephen and Jennifer Switala are proud to welcome back IGNITE Youth Theatre alumni Kyle Kelly and Jessica Popyack as directors and musical director Jacob Mandell, as well as Front and Centre’s Artistic Director, Sam Potter, as choreographer.
The program takes pride in the range of school districts its participants hail from, including Bald Eagle, Clearfield, Curwensville, Glendale, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, State College, West Branch, and Young Scholars Charter School. There are 84 participants in this summer’s show, spanning from ages 4 to 18.
This summer, due to construction at Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School, the show will be held at Clearfield Area High School. Front and Centre Productions is very appreciative of Clearfield Area High School’s willingness to host IGNITE Youth Theatre this summer.