The Seneca Valley High School’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” will open Friday night in the intermediate high school auditorium.

The actors have been hard at work for over two months and all their hard work is about to come to light as they take the stage for the first time this Friday night.  Not to mention, the stage crew and makeup and anyone else involved in the production of the play have worked tremendously for this weekend.

The play is the classic 1939 tale of Dorothy, played by sophomore Rachel Carmella, and her trip with her legendary friends to the great city of Oz to pay a visit to the almighty wizard.  Carmella shared her thoughts on the upcoming production, saying, “I think it is going really well!  We have a lot of really cool effects this year like flying, fog, explosions, and dogs.  The makeup and costumes are really elaborate and everybody looks great.”

Stephan Santa, directing his fifth consecutive Seneca Valley Musical, worked with Senior High chorus teacher Aaron Magill on the musical.  In honor of opening night on the 28, all of the cast members sported their Mr. Magill attire, dressing up just like him to show their appreciation.  Sophomore Nate Kouns, who plays a Munchkin, the Strongest Man in the circus act, and a jitter bug dancer, told me about this tradition.  “Every opening night for musical is called “Magill Day”, where the men wear a blazer or dress jacket unbuttoned, a musical shirt, jeans and dress shoes.”

The performers are very confident that they will put on a great show.  “It’s looking great, all the lights, explosions, and people flying,” says Kouns.  “Santa and Magill really put together a great show.”

The musical features kids from Haine and Evans City Middle Schools in addition to the ninth through twelfth graders that make up the cast.  Carmella and junior Lance Hahn, playing the role of the Cowardly Lion always put on a fantastic show and there is no doubt that this year will be the same.  Freshman Jake Holl, who plays a guard, is participating in his first ever musical.

The musical will be showing February 28 through March 2 and then again on March 7 and 8.  The March 2 show will begin at 2 PM and the March 8 show will start at 1:30, with all other shows beginning at 7:30.  Tickets are on sale on the Seneca Valley School District website and may be available at the door on the night of the show.  Cost of tickets are 10 dollars for adults and 8 dollars for students.