The Auburn Community Players takes audiences over the rainbow with the troupe’s presentation of the musical, “The Wizard of Oz”.
The classic premiered last. Friday at the Auburn Avenue Theater. “Oz” evening performances continue this Friday and Saturday, with a 2 o’clock matinees set for Saturday.
For Dave and Stephanie Cox, ACP directors and founders, the play represents the group’s largest undertaking since its formation last year. Previously, the Players presented performances of “Into the Woods” and “Bye Bye Birdie”.
“It’s the biggest cast we’ve had,” Dave Cox said. “There is a lot of changes, lots of different scenes. It’s just massive. It’s great, it’s iconic. (Theater manager) Jim (Kleinbeck) and Steph were really excited about doing a classic because we haven’t done this as a group yet.”
The classic features the adventures of Dorothy and her dog, Toto, who are whisked away from their home in Kansas to the magical Land of Oz. There she meets memorable friends and foes – the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Wicked Witch – in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, who everyone says can help her return home and possibly grant the wishes of her companions.
In addition to the main characters, the cast includes scores of Munchkins, Winkies, Flying Monkeys and Twitter Bugs – all played by local and regional actors.
“This has been, probably even more so then our other plays, a community effort,” Dave Cox said. “We’re starting to build our team of community members. We have 20 kids in the show, which is bringing theater to the youth. And we’re putting live theater in front of people, which is a great experience for all of us.”
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Showtime
• What: Auburn Community Players present “The Wizard of Oz”
• When: Oct. 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.
• Where: Auburn Avenue Theater, 10 Auburn Ave
• Tickets: $12 regular, $10 students, seniors ($15/$13 at the door). Call 253-931-3043, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online through Brown Paper Tickets at www.auburnwa.gov/arts.
