They’re off to see the wizard

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/08/2015 (3915 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Next week, Charleswood will welcome Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, and many other beloved characters.

It’s time for Charleswood United Church’s annual musical. This year the musical, being presented between Sept. 10 to 12, is the familiar classic, The Wizard of Oz.

But just because it might be familiar doesn’t mean there aren’t some extra good reasons to go see it — or that there won’t be any surprises.

“The Wizard of Oz is a classic, everyone knows the basis of it,” says Crizelyn Cubol, 21, the show’s production manager.

“But we’ve put our own twist to it, the talent has really put their own spin on the characters,” Cubol said. “They’re not just copying the original. I really love to watch them.”

It’s seeing the cast, made up entirely of youth volunteers, working together that is the highlight for Cubol.

“They all work so hard,” she said.

One example of such a cast member is 16-year old Taylor Kennington, who plays Dorothy.
“It’s a lot of memorization,” she said. “I go home after rehearsal, and I’ll be practising in the car while we’re driving,  or reading a script in the evening.”

It’s the first time Kennington has played the lead role in such a large musical.
“I was really nervous that other people wouldn’t like how I portrayed the character, but everyone’s been really supportive,” she said. “It feels like everyone in the cast is an old friend.”

This is Kennington’s second year being involved with the Charleswood United Church musical productions. Others, like Nathan Gibbens, 12, have been part of the musical for much longer.
“It’s my fifth year,” Gibbens said proudly.

This year, he’s taken on the role of everything from Mayor of Munchkinland, to a farmhand, to a crow.

“It’s extremely fun,” he said. “It’s a good way to use all your energy for the day.”
But it’s the relationship with his fellow cast members that keeps Gibbens coming back year after year.

“The people are the best part,” he says.

This is the 17th year Charleswood United Church has put on an annual musical. The cast ranges in age from seven to 21, and is made up of 45 youth from both Charleswood as well as around the city.

For tickets and showtimes, contact Charleswood United Church at (204) 832-3667.

Amanda Thorsteinsson is a community correspondent for Charleswood.