Wizard of Oz Production Brings Community Together

Greene Street Friends School celebrated the 70th anniversary of the film version of "The Wizard of Oz" by performing the classic L. Frank Baum story as a play. The fall play at Greene Street Friends is a yearly after-school offering for Grades 3-6, bringing together students in the Lower and Middle School divisions.

As the School has been growing, so have the number of students involved in the play. All told there were 62 students in the production, including two alumnae who helped with makeup and costuming. Major parts like Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man and the cowardly lion were split into two casts, one performing in the first half and the other in the second half. Parent Laura Buonomo designed and painted the set and Pre-K students in the Extended Day Program helped paint it. “Every facet of the community was involved,” noted play director Cindy Fleming-Powell, “that made it as magical as the script.”

The students gave four performances: the first was a dress rehearsal to students in the Extended Day Program, the second was an assembly for the Lower School (Grades Pre-K through 4), the third was a Friday evening performance, followed by a Saturday matinee. David Bradley, a professional theater director whose son played the Cowardly Lion said, "It was great to see so many students engaged and participating so fully. The play was a terrific community event -- giving a huge number of kids the chance to learn and make something together.  That kind of experience is so important."

Evan A., Grade 6, made this most of the opportunity to be short-tempered as the Wicked Witch of the West. “I enjoyed being able to yell at people,” he said. As Glinda the Good, Destiny C., Grade 5, had several dramatic entrances. She commented, “I liked my poofy dress and how it fit, but it was a bit itchy.” She also enjoyed working with her other cast members. Jonelle C., Grade 4, noted, “It was interesting because I had to get my face painted.” It wasn’t hard to hold her pose while rusted though, “I put myself in a position where I could see everything.” Robert W., Grade 6, who played the Scarecrow added, “It was just fun!”