It’s a great sign for a musical stage production – following its opening night performance no less – when people file out of the theatre humming and singing snippets from songs in the show. (Please see photo gallery below.)

Such was the case August 3 following the premiere of Kimberley Summer Theatre’s production of Wizard of Oz at McKim Theatre.

The ambitious production of the classic L. Frank Baum story and musical production by EY Harburg and Harold Arlen by producer Tony James and director/choreographer Truus Verkley is a lively and delightfully entertaining romp.

Fiona McIntyre stars as Dorothy and as soon as you lay eyes on her and hear her speak, you will find yourself transformed to memories of Judy Garland.

The rest of the cast features multiple roles for Raymond Johnson Brown (Scarecrow/Hunk), Jeremy Verkley (Lion, Zeke and Crow), Stuart Fink (Tinman and Hickory), Trishia Woodley (Auntie Em, Glinda the Good Witch, Tree and Jitterbug), Thia Sterling (Miss Glutch, Wicked Witch of the West, Tree and Jitterbug), Brent Gill (Professor Marvel, Wizard of Oz, Crow and Ozian), Tenaj Williams (Uncle Henry, Guard, Crow and Nikko), Dana Doucette (Munchkin Mayor, Winkie General and Ozian) and a plush toy pooch as Toto.

Adding plenty of zest, zing and colour to the show are a host of local young performers as the Munchkins, Trees, Poppies, Jitterbugs, flying monkeys, Ozians and Winkies.

The talented youngsters include: Maggie Gilbert, Harrison Slunt, Riah Betts, Savannah Flegel, Saige DePaoli, Austin McAra, Paige McAra, Tynelea Milligan, Kianna Reid, Anika Chatterson and Shybecka Milligan.

Naturally invaluable to a musical are the musicians/orchestra, which in this case is handled by one amazing musician – Christina Kim.

Kimberley resident Marta Zeegers aided in choreography with the young stars and Wasa resident Penny Flegel led the way in the flamboyant and exuberant set painting.

Rusty Gahr applied his problem solving talents to the numerous FX for the performance, while Nadine Abrey, Kirsten Taylor, Lucy Collingwood, Bryony Skelton, Ryan VonHagen Stan Williams, Lorne Wright, Josh Elmer and Nathan Taron round out the rest of the technical and set team – vital partners in such a complex production.

The Wizard of Oz is running at Kimberley’s McKim Theatre (located in McKim Middle School) until August 14. Call 250-427-4080 for tickets or pick them up at Centre 64.

For more on Kimberley Summer Theatre, go to: www.kimberleysummertheatre.ca .

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW and

Photos by Carrie Schafer/Through My Eyes Photography

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