The York High School Drama Club is performing the Wizard of Oz this spring! This musical will incorporate the High School Drama Club and middle school and elementary school actors through York Parks and Recreation. The story of the Wizard of Oz is widely known. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900 as a children’s book by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. It was then created into a Broadway musical in 1902 and named The Wizard of Oz. As a result of the popularity of the children’s book and the musical, The Wizard of Oz was turned into a live-action movie in 1939. 

The Wizard of Oz illustrates the story of Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto. They have been swept away in a tornado and taken away from their home in Kansas. Dorothy and Toto end up in the magical land of Oz. They meet three friends along their journey to see the Wizard, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion.  Dorothy and her new friends hope for the Wizard to fulfill their wishes. 

This will be the second spring musical after the Covid-19 pandemic. Theater involvement has been drastically increased over the past two years. George Hosker-Bouley, director and choreographer of the show, describes how this increase has impacted the drama club. “In the past two years, the drama club membership has tripled…During the shutdown, kids started to realize there was no time like the present to put themselves out there. Being on stage is a thrill and once kids do it once they want it again and again. I think it’s a safe environment for kids to be creative and to do something different.” 

Auditions have already been held and rehearsals are now underway. Jackie Fulmer, a YHS junior, will be playing Dorothy. She expresses the excitement she feels for being cast in this role. “I have already enjoyed it so much even from the little we have practiced already. I hope that for the show everyone who’s watching can get that magical feeling that we get playing these characters.” The story of the Wizard of Oz is magical and these feelings are within the actors and the production. 

This is a story that many people are familiar with. Carter Short, a sophomore who will be playing the Cowardly Lion, depicts this. “The Wizard of Oz has been one of my favorite pieces of content since I was very little, the story has always been so close to my heart with lovable characters, and an amazing story. I’m so excited to finally be able to take part in this show, not to mention Being able to play my favorite role, the Cowardly Lion.“ This wonderful production can be seen on April 27 at 7 pm, 28 at 7 pm, and 29 at 2 pm and 7 pm.