They’ve been rehearsing for many weeks and now it’s finally time for the audience to take its seat and for the curtain to go up. Fifth and sixth graders from Woodhull Intermediate School and Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School will stage a production of “The Wizard of Oz” this weekend at Woodhull.
The play is being directed by Jennifer Szilagy and Stephanie Shea. The cast includes 98 youngsters, who have devoted untold hours to learning their lines and perfecting their roles.
Shows are set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $4.
The cast includes: Grace Oliva (Dorothy Gale), Jasmine Adcock (Toto), Sofia Van Arsdale (Auntie Em), Alex Tine (Uncle Henry), Dalton Flynn (Tin Man), Riley Uvena (Lion), Mason Gomez (Wizard of Oz), Nica DiPietro (Hunk the Farmhand), Kai DeSalvo (Hickory the Farmhand), Isabella Goutevenier (Zeke the Farmhand), Victoria Hart (Miss Gulch), Alec Cadet (Professor Marvel), Riley Sullivan (Lady in Rocking Chair), Eric Heinz (The Cow), Colby Curran (Rowboat Man), Netanya Shanzer (Piano Player in Tornado), Amelia Carino (Glinda), Ali Learned (Munchkin No. 1), Maayan Nechooshtan (Munchkin No. 2), Grayson Dunn (Munchkin No. 3), Eli Levi (Mayor of Munchkinland), Yuliana Lopez (Barrister) and Jude Creegan (Coroner).
Cast members also include Eoin Charles (Doorman), Wynne Franciscovich (Oz Woman), Milton Maldonado (Guard), Eva Richter (Nikko), Heather Herman (City Father No. 1), Briana Maldonado (City Father No. 2), Anna McCormick (Wicked Witch), Isabella Henderson (Woman Munchkin), Domenica Elgart (Scarecrow), Alvin Luna Mancia (Apple Tree No. 1), Azucena Alvarado Gomez (Apple Tree No. 2) and Caleb Palermo (Apple Tree No. 3).
The Lullabye League’s five tots will be played by Kiley Barch, Alex Boeckman, Mia Miller, Katie Cocoman and Louisa Skrobela
The Lollipop Guild’s five tough guys will be played by Lucas Biancardo, Anastacia Mennuto, Emma Polinsky, Jason Quintanilla and Alex Tine
The cast also includes:
Four Girls Optimistic Chorus: Emily Barba, Katie Cocoman, Jade Mejia and Jocelyn Thorbourne
Munchkin Ensemble: Annemarie Araujo, Lindsey Araujo, Dana Avila, Isabella Cruz, Lauren Dopico, Deveren Flynn, Caroline Giordano, Jordyn Gross, Leah MacManus, Yarisa Maldonado and Sierra Wilson
Crows/Monkeys/Winkie Guards: Kaci Caceras, Joseph Conklin, Michael DiVincenzo, Angelina Drakos, Chelsea Drummings, Madelyn Falk, Alison Hahn, Eric Heinz, Avery Joynt, Emma Mortensen, Norah Moskowitz and Emma Sobocienski
Jitterbug Dancers: Chloe Donovan, Veda Gross, Sophie Hoffman, Braedan Kline, Olivia Lee, Sophie Rodriguez, Sebastien Jiminez Ruiz, Anastasia Sarducci, Isabella Smith and Cameron Smith
Tutti Ensemble/Emerald City Chorus/Oz People: Maya Ackerman, Leighton Evans, Victa Flores, Alvaro Leon, Zach Matthews, Camora McKay, Katherine Moronta, Cindy Quintanilla, Audrey Sherwood, Emily St Rose and Ella Vanhorn
Ask anyone in the cast or crew and they will almost assuredly respond that “rehearsals have really paid off.” Members of the group have worked incredibly hard with one another to produce what’s expected to be a sensational play.
Teacher aides Pelagia DeLaRosa Paula Ferraiolo have assisted during rehearsals. Woodhull Principal Lara Gonzalez and STEM Principal Donna Mora has both helped smooth out bumps in the road along the way.
The fifth and sixth graders from the two schools have seamlessly come together for the production. “We have really become like a family,” said one of the actors. “This show is so great because everyone in the cast has an opportunity to shine like the Emerald City gates!”
Glen and Chris Deveau have guided the stage crew through creation of colorful set pieces as well as handling lighting and music, which backs up the vocals of the actors themselves.
A worldwide favorite since it was popularized by the 1939 musical fantasy film, “The Wizard of Oz” is sure to dazzle crowds this week at Woodhull.
