From left, Tin Man, played by Owen Lang and Scarecrow, played by T.J. Lute, cowered while Cowardly Lion, played by Maisie Druer, ‘put ‘em up’ to Dorothy during St. Joseph’s dress rehearsal of The Wizard of Oz June 6. The Port Elgin school will perform the classic musical June 7 and 8. 

Hub Staff

St. Joseph’s School will welcome the public to Munchkinland for two performances of the musical “The Wizard of Oz” June 7 and 8, with admission by donation.

Over 45 students are involved in the musical that will see classic characters such as Dorothy and the Tin Man on a hero’s journey to Oz while singing 11 iconic songs from the 1939 film.

Produced and Directed by teachers Mary-Jane Hewitt and Lindsay Wright, “The Wizard of Oz” is the school’s seventh musical production in as many years with their 2016 production taking on the classic comedy “Annie.”

See: It's a Hard Knock Life at St. Joe's

Wright said she has a passion for theatre and has always wanted to put on a play, remarking on their success at the Port Elgin school. “It brings a lot of the community together, lots of grades between the French and English classes and they just have a lot of fun.” Wright said that if the students join a production and get the “bug” in Grade 4 they usually continue with the plays up to Grade 8.

Seventh Grade actor Masie Druer, who plays the Cowardly Lion, said that although she had previous acting experience with Sandcastles Theatre, playing the Lion was a bit out of her comfort zone and admitted that practicing a lot was helpful. Her favourite song to sing in the musical is “If I Only Had the Nerve.”

Tin Man Owen Lang said that he donned quite a bit of makeup for the role. “It’s all over my face... it’s kind of itchy sometimes,” he said, admitting that dancing during the Jitterbug dance was the hardest part of the show but his favourite song to sing.

The performances begin at 7 p.m. at the school with admission by donation and funds raised will go back to the school’s play programming.

The Lullaby League from Munchkinland consisted of Emily Miller (left), Abby Pilger, Maeve Evans and Nadia Szulist.

Alyssa Moorehead (left) with the Wicked Witch of the West, Kaitlyn Bull, who was saving her authentic cackle for the performance.

Auntie Em, played by Halina Przybysz, on stage with bad neighbour Miss Gulch, played by Sabra Cannon, before things got windy.

The Lollipop Guild welcomed Dorothy to Munchkinland.

Coroner Julia Trelford declared the Wicked Witch of the East dead, which was a cause of celebration in Munchkinland.

T.J. Lang’s Scarecrow got into it with some apple trees before he and Dorothy, played by Alyssa Moorehead, found a new accomplice.

Tin Man Owen Lang sang “If I only had a heart” during St. Joseph's June 6 dress rehearsal of their musical production "The Wizard of Oz."