Together, a gigantic guild of performers, all motivated to reach their destination, followed the yellow brick road, which would lead them to a land of music, dance, special effects and colorful surroundings. People from all around crowd the auditorium on the day of the performance, anxious to hear melodious tunes and observe each actor’s vibrant dancing. The performers, ready to share the iconic songs they had been preparing for months, desired to woo the crowd with their skills and lovable entertainment.

The Revere Players took on The Wizard of Oz as its spring musical with a large cast consisting of eighteen seniors. They practiced from January up until the musical, which took place April 16-19. After performing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast last spring, the Players wanted to present another musical known and loved by all ages. Laurie Russell, director of sixteen years, explained the reason why she chose The Wizard of Oz as this year’s musical, taking into account the personalities of the cast members. The size of the group also played a role in deciding what the cast would do.

“I thought this show was a good fit with this group. The show has elements of humor and magic, which this group is good with. They are fun, and [The Wizard of Oz] is a fun-loving show. We have a large group and eighteen seniors who all are friends. The group has a very nice camaraderie, they all get along. [In addition], thirteen students from Bath Elementary and Revere Middle School were cast as munchkins,” Russell said.

Noah Sigsworth, a four-show veteran and sophomore, portrayed the Tinman. He mentioned the close friendship between the cast members as well, noting how it has affected him positively.

“The cast this year is amazing. We have so much talent and [so many] awesome people. I truly would not rather spend my time with any other group.  I have so much fun hanging out with all these amazing people. I have formed bonds here that will not be broken for a long time,” Sigsworth said.

Russell discussed the popularity and fondness associated with the movie The Wizard of Oz, which coincidentally celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. She described the beneficial effect the fame of the musical had on the cast.

“Everybody aged five to ninety-five knows [The Wizard of Oz]. It is popular with so many ages. The kids work so hard, so a popular show would usually have a good audience, which makes the kids happy. If the kids are happy, I am happy,” Russell said.

Sigsworth added to this positive description of the musical and noted its timelessness and special qualities that makes it common to people of all generations.

“This show is special for so many reasons. First, it is arguably the most iconic film in American history. It has been referenced and parodied in everything from The Simpsons to Lost, and has had an extraordinary effect on pop culture. Also, it is really cool to be performing a show that everyone, young and old, has grown up with. [One would] be hard pressed to find someone unfamiliar with the Emerald City or the Cowardly Lion. Another unique thing about The Wizard of Oz is the great character it has. Everyone from the Tinman to the Wizard has . . . lots of character,” Sigsworth said.

Sigsworth additionally addressed the challenges of learning such a famous show, which included technical restrictions and lofty expectations to reach. He highlighted the positive aspects of carrying out the personality of a character known and loved by fans of the musical.

“Being in a show with such a well-known film version has its advantages and its shortcomings. On one hand, it can be difficult to capture the nuances and all the small details of the movie, whether it be [due] to monetary or technical limitations or lack of time.  It can also be nerve-wracking to perform in a show with such specific and high expectations.  That being said, it can be nice to have such a solid and fleshed-out character to base your performance on,” Sigsworth said.

Russell affirmed that the show did not stray far from the movie version, but in addition to all the dancing poppies, trees and monkeys, the Players had to use special effects to compensate for actions that were hard to do in person and make believable. She discussed some of the ways the Players carried out special effects using lighting, handled by the tech crew, and platforms, built by the set crew.

“For Glinda’s arrival, we got a pink spot light that floats on the wall, and it makes it look like she floats in in her bubble. We use a platform and steps to make the witch look like she is melting, and a fog machine will help with that,” Russell said.

Senior Julie Mullet, who portrayed Dorothy, performed in her seventh and final show. She explained how the leads were double-cast, so each of the leads got to perform in three shows each. Junior Ashley Oakley also portrayed Dorothy. Junior Nick Jones and senior Justin Evangelist both played the Scarecrow; seniors David Speer and Isaiah Kessler played the Cowardly Lion; Sigsworth and senior Griffen Hansen played the Tinman; seniors Mikayla Lupo and Clarice Sigsworth played Glinda; seniors Abbey Niemi and Audrey Delong performed as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Mullet described the challenges faced during practice time that come along with a double-cast, but she also highlighted the variety and variation of talent it brings to the different shows.

“All of the leads were double-cast, so each set of leads only got half of the practice time. We really have had to work hard on our lines while we are offstage so when we get onstage we can make that time count. Since it is double-cast, each group’s version of the show is pretty different, but both just as talented,” Mullet said.

Hillcrest Elementary teacher Rena Baker, who assists Russell in the spring musical, helped with choreographing and making the musical possible. Additionally, RHS art teacher Robert Pierson helped design the backdrops that were onstage. Junior Will Ackermann and senior Dan Butera were stage managers who helped build the sets and bring props on and off stage.

At the end of the yellow brick road, each munchkin, poppy, monkey, witch and human, proud of their performance and the long journey to reach their goals, bowed to the audience with smiles on their faces. Although a large portion of the group will bid farewell to performing, many will take the road again after a summer hiatus, when they return for the fall play.

Actors
Casey Amato, Sarah Blake, Sydney Borcherding, Lucia Boulos, Tyler Cai, Gina Ciolli, Audrey DeLong, Ellie Edwards, Justin Evangelist, Leia Gertz, Grace Godard, Griffen Hansen, Alex Isada, Nick Jones, Isaiah Kessler, Russell Klein, Shelby Kohmann, Ethan Lockmiller, Mikayla Lupo, Brady Marks, Kathryn Mason, Ben Mullaly, Julie Mullet, Ryan Nadzam, Abbey Niemi, Ashley Oakley, Garrison Peters, Susie Post, Kelly Schikowski, Joci Scott, Clarice Sigsworth, Noah Sigsworth, David Speer, RaeAnne Wilcox, Madison Williams, Oliver Zhang, Jacob Zimmerman

Munchkins
Kaitlyn Borcherding, Katie Froelich, Spencer Jones, Joey Klein, Christina Liccardi, Kendall Malkus, Bianca Milovancev, Bella Pignataro, Cameron Samadi, John Scheetz, Hope Shockey, Charlotte Silvidi, Maria Silvidi

Stage Managers
Dan Butera, Will Ackermann
Backstage Crew
Sharon Caldwell, Anna Gerber, Eve McCarthy, MacKenzie Moore, Megan Nadzam, Megan Shepker, Sarah Shimek, Evelyn Solis, Ben Tipton, Megan Travers
Technical Crew
Stephen Banis, Jason Choy, Brendan Loeb, Troy Pierson, Sean Nixon
Makeup Crew
Alex Fergason (Makeup Queen), Leah Bonyo, Susie Post, RaeAnne Wilcox

Pit
Conductor- Brian Rizzo
Flutes- Abby Jones, Tim Miller, Katie Rizzo
Oboe- Leah Weisburn
Clarinets- Clariss Choy, Olivia Mesecar, Katie Stanoch
Bass Clarinets- Lexi Abou-Ghouliam, Max Nye
Saxophones- Angelo Bucci (Alto), Anna Gamblin (Baritone), Mark Yankovitz (Tenor)
Percussion- Steven Homolak, Max Marsillo
Keyboard- Bob Carlyon
Trumpet- Mike Simko
French Horn- Katie Hanus
Trombones- George Rosin, Mark Mitchell
Tuba- Hannah Weisburn
Violins- Mike Miller, Emily Rode
Viola- Marlene Moses
Cello- Sharon Nauman
Double Bass- Mason Linderbaum