Follow the yellow brick road at 'Wizard of Oz'

The beloved tale of the magical land of Oz is coming to the Pend Oreille Playhouse.

In this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film, Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the Land of Oz, and has an adventure of mystery, friendship, and courage. Tickets are on sale at our.show/popaoz.

Six performances are planned. Shows will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Shows will also take place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11.

Directed by Amy Dawson, this performance's cast is a lively mix of area youth and grownups. All are volunteers; from the directors to the actors and behind-the-scenes magic makers. 

Assistant director is Emmy Meisfjord, musical directors are Barbara Bell and Charlene Rawuka-Stigall, and props are managed by Nikki Hendrickson. 

Play organizers said the extensive cast list underscores the wealth of talent this community boasts. 

Cast members include: Dorothy Gale — Natalie Staab; Aunt Em/Glinda — Paulina Staab; Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard — Matthew Williams; Zeke/Cowardly Lion — Aaron Axel; Hickory/Tin Man — John Connelly; Hunk/Scarecrow — Amy Encinas Yount; Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West — Terri Tomlinson; Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizard of Oz — Robert Balow; Toto puppeteer — Amiah Gwyn; 

Munchkins/Jitterbugs — Rosalie Jensen, Jacquelyn Jensen, Caspian Zinke, Madylan Casteel, Charlotte Mack, Josie Moser, Evie Vooge, Hazel Proctor, Brenyn Longly, Josie Bento, Kate Stutzman and Spencer Warren; 

Four crows/Jitterbugs/ensemble — Jackie Davis, Renny Stott and Taylia Culver; three trees/Jitterbugs/ensemble — Ariana Whinery, Erin Zinke and Cathy Axel; Nikko/puppeteer — Jace Connelly; Winkie general — Renny Stott; Winkies/Jitterbugs/Ozians/ensemble — Alexia Bayes, Kalleelah Davis, Joy Hendrickson and Bella Huffman-Filtzer.

Drinks — specifically themed for the show — sport fun names such as Yellow Brick Road, Liquid Courage, Glenda, and more. Branded merchandise is available at our.show/popaoz.

Doors open half an hour before curtain call. 

The Wizard of Oz is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark, LLC concordtheatricals.com.

The Pend Oreille Players Association is a nonprofit community theater organization dedicated to providing family-oriented performances and arts education. POPA offers a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for youth and adults to explore their creativity, develop essential life skills, and grow into compassionate and engaged members of our community through the magic of live theater. POPA’s mission is to inspire, educate, and entertain the community through low and no cost opportunities to participate in and enjoy live production and performance. 

    John Connelly is pictured during rehearsals as Tin Man. Come see if Tin Man finally gets his heart
  

    Amy Encinas Yount is shown as the Scarecrow during rehearsals for "The Wizard of Oz." Will she finally get her brains?