Library to host 'Wizard of Oz'

Group celebrates 10th anniversary by staging show based on movie version of classic story

Top, director Katherine Rigby leads a group of children, who will play the part of the Munchkins, through a song during a reading of the script for the "The Wizard of Oz" at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 E. Tonopah Ave., May 19. Left, Dan Brooks, with Liberty Fire Service, shows his 10-year-old daughter Dani how a fire extinguisher can be used for special effects. PHOTOS by JAN HOGAN/VIEW Top, director Katherine Rigby leads a group of children, who will play the part of the Munchkins, through a song during a reading of the script for the "The Wizard of Oz" at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 E. Tonopah Ave., May 19. Left, Dan Brooks, with Liberty Fire Service, shows his 10-year-old daughter Dani how a fire extinguisher can be used for special effects. PHOTOS by JAN HOGAN/VIEW JAN HOGAN/VIEWJennifer Douglas, who plays the Wicked Witch, wears her costume during a script reading at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 E. Tonopah Ave., May 19. Top, director Katherine Rigby leads a group of children, who will play the part of the Munchkins, through a song during a reading of the script for the "The Wizard of Oz" at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 E. Tonopah Ave., May 19. Left, Dan Brooks, with Liberty Fire Service, shows his 10-year-old daughter Dani how a fire extinguisher can be used for special effects. PHOTOS by JAN HOGAN/VIEW Advertisement

Summerlin may not have streets lined in gold, but it does have a yellow brick road ... if only for a while.

"The Wizard of Oz" is slated to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and Monday through June 27 at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive.

The production is presented by the Rosel Seastrand Arts Foundation, in conjunction with James Seastrand Helping Hands of North Las Vegas, a nonprofit senior organization.

The large production -- there are 52 cast members, 20 stagehands and a 17-piece orchestra -- celebrates the company's 10th anniversary by bringing "The Wizard of Oz," its first production, back to the stage.

Ten years ago, the musical followed the Broadway script. This year, it remains true to the movie version. Why? Familiarity.

"Last time, during intermission you could hear people talking, saying like, 'I don't remember that part in the movie,' " said Marcia Blake, program director for Helping Hands.

In keeping with the movie version, the story starts in sepia tones. It requires a quick change as Dorothy makes a seamless switch from a brown outfit to the blue gingham, á la Judy Garland.

That part is played by Jessica Lakis, a UNLV drama and film student, who said she loved watching the movie on TV as a child.

"But the movie used to scare me, the part with the monkeys," she said.

Just because it's community theater, it's not without special effects. Jennifer Douglas, who plays the Wicked Witch, will throw fire from her hands, and green screen techniques will vary the background.

At a dress rehearsal, Dan Brooks of Liberty Fire Service taught the stage crew how to make smoke using a commercial-sized fire extinguisher. He gave them one for practicing.

"Use it all up so you get used to it," he advised them.

Getting used to things is important for those on stage, as well, especially those new to theater. There is one aspect of the show over which crew members may chew a few fingernails.

"You never know quite what will happen when you have 27 children playing the Munchkins," Blake said.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors ages 60 and older and $8 for children ages 2 to 12.

For tickets, call 649-7837.

Contact Summerlin View and South Summerlin View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.