CHICO — A cast of characters and crew members are getting ready to head over the rainbow this weekend.
Chico State’s “The Wizard of Oz” spring musical opens at Laxson Auditorium today with 7:30 p.m. performances through May 6. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 6, and the final performance is 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 7.
“The Wizard of Oz” tells the story of a farm girl, Dorothy Gale. Gale is caught in a hurricane in her hometown in Kansas and ends up traveling to the mystical land of Oz after her house lands on the wicked witch of the west. While in Oz, she meets a quirky collection of friends including a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion and realizes there is truly no place like home.
“When I interviewed six years ago, I walked into Laxson and saw a giant rainbow over the stage,” said director and choreographer Megan Zollinger. “I said, ‘We have to do Wizard of Oz!’ I’ve been wanting to do it since I got here and it felt right for this season.”
The cast is made up of 21 Chico State students and the crew are students as well.
“We had a darker fall season,” Zollinger said. “We did the show ‘Cabaret.’ I like to end the season in Laxson with something wonderful for students and the community. This show is family friendly and the least problematic and it’s a timeless story. This is a beautiful show to round out the season.”
The show consists of several children who are all the children of faculty members.
“There are five children in the show and a live Toto,” Zollinger said. “I wanted it to feel nostalgic to everyone. We are staying traditional to the original story. It doesn’t need to be re-invented. The lessons stay on the forefront rather than have a big spectacle.”
Senior musical theater student Jessie Grimaldo, who plays Dorothy Gale, is looking forward to performing.
“I feel very lucky that this is happening in my senior year because I am prepared and have a foundation from all of my professors that has given me the tools to succeed,” Grimaldo said.
Zollinger said Grimaldo has a dog allergy, so she turned to social media and friends and asked if anyone had a hypoallergenic dog. Maeby, a mini golden doodle dog, was the perfect fit. Even though Maeby was a theater novice, she fit right in.
“Mae is just the sweetest dog and wasn’t affected by things like loud noises and the big scary witch,” Zollinger said. “She was super chill.”
The rest of the student cast includes Harrie Schaufel, Demondra Martin, Jackson Taitano, Arianna Nelson, Reece Thompson, Olivia Moffat, Will Morse, Rachel Aquilina, Emily Bunje, Sammi Cason, Jacob Harmon, Rebecca Hudelson, Amy Ledergerber, Sunny Martinez and Stephen Mason. The design and production team includes Dara Scholz, Chris Mueller, Lizzy Davis, Pete Austin, Kaila Roach, Ciara Christian-Berg, Alex Tanner, Michael Johnson and Andres Raddavero. The team paired up with students for choreography, stage management, hair and makeup design and scenic design, according to the release.
The original show by L. Frank Baum has music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg and background music by Herbert Stothart. The original dance and vocal arrangements were done by Peter Howard and the orchestration by Larry Wilcox, according to the release. Zollinger said the whole cast and crew got along famously.
One of the cast member’s mother, Barbara Luck, died a month ago, and the show is dedicated to her.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $8 for youth and Chico State students. Tickets can be bought online at www.chicostatetickets.com, in person at the University Box Office on the corner of West Third and Chestnut streets, or via phone at 898-6333. Those who need special seating accommodations can call 898-6333.
The Chico Chapter of the Chico State Alumni Association is also hosting a reception following the Sunday matinee at Laxson. Alumni who wish to attend must register online at https://tinyurl.com/oz-reception. For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 898-6472.
