When Elf closed in the Winter of 2019, no one imagined that it would take over three years later for the Theatre of North Creek High School to produce their next big musical. The time of pre-apocalyptic theater is over and the excitement is on the rise from the theater company. As we crawled out of our dark bunkers, the stage lights turned back on and pointed at the awaiting stage. Timothy Hagerman, head director of the production, is filled with anticipation. There was so much uncertainty and changes in what was allowed, so what better than to perform a classic show like Wizard well of Oz. “There’s multiple parts to that. One, with Wizard of Oz, I wanted to choose something big, would be really fun for families to come see. But also interesting to high school kids,” said Hagerman. One of the two students cast to play Dorothy, Katy Scott, a junior, described the show, calling it “[p]ositive, dance numbers, good music, like just a very happy uplifting show.” Scott, like many other actors, was happy to have her theater family and perform together after the haze of lockdown. “You make like a family with the cast members you work with. You become incredibly close and the rest you feel when you get on stage and just perform and entertain in front of people. It’s just like nothing ever like you’ve experienced,” said Scott. Not only does theater build a family but according to Arjun Handas, sophomore Wizard of Oz, it can turn stage fright into confidence. “I really did not like being on stage and I guess I just wanted to be more confident, and theater really gave me the passion to become more confident, it really helped me a lot,” said Handa. Being surrounded by a family working on the same goals and passion creating skills to perform art to an audience is such a positive influence on everyday school life. Performing such a well loved production is fairly new to the North Creek Theater company. However this isn’t new for Tony Fotos, a senior, performing as the Tinman. Fotos is looking out for the growth of the family through big time titles. “It brings popularity because a lot of shows we’ve done in the past were not as well known as the Wizard of Oz. It’s a staple in theater communities and culture. I’m very excited for this show and hopefully it will help our community get a little bit larger, a little bit more diverse.” Growth of a community like theater is always the merrier. The amount of timeless classic and artistic creativity that goes in the Wizard of Oz from the whole crew, the excitement is through the roof from the director. The memorability of the film mixed with the talent of North Creek theater is bound to produce a wonderful musical experience.“Most musicals by the end there is at least one song that’s a little bit of an earworm and the Wizard of Oz, I mean its classic. People have loved it since the 50s: the musics great, it’s a great story,, it’s a good positive message. It’s enjoyable for everybody.” said Hagerman. Much like the characters, the actors have a whole new yellow brick road to go down with this script. For Hagerman, the show is more than just a return to normal. “I’m so excited to go back to more normal production. The amount of talent we have here at North Creek is incredible. The kids that we have are really good and I hope a lot of people come out and support their fellow North Creekians and enjoy a good show,” said Hagerman.
