Wizard of Oz Opens Tonight at Shorewood High School

With 40 cast members, a crew of 30, a 26-piece orchestra, two professional choreographers, three directors (stage, musical and technical) and more than 150 costumes, Shorewood High School's Wizard of Oz opens big tonight in Shoreline. As the last musical in the original theater (a new school is currently under construction), producer and Shorewood drama teacher Barb Lachman says it's fitting this is the largest Shorewood production in at least the past 15 years.

“The Wizard of Oz is a grand way to begin our final year in the much-loved Shorewood Theater,” Lachman says. “A production of this scope relies on dedication and a depth of talent we're fortunate to have at Shorewood – not just from actors, but from technical crew and orchestra as well. They've worked hard together to creatively bring their vision of this American classic to the Shorewood stage.”

The cast includes students Joey Haeck, Jenna McElroy, Jack Will and Staggerlee Cole.

Shorewood presents the classic Wizard of Oz characters, songs and adventure recognizable from the MGM musical based on the novel of L. Frank Baum. Though the movie is entrenched in millions of American's childhood memories, there is an additional scene in the stage production that was cut from the movie. Shorewood called on well-known Seattle dance instructor and Lindy Hop specialist Guy Caridi to choreograph the Jitterbug musical number.

The Wizard of Oz runs November 8-18, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at Shorewood High School Theater, 17300 Fremont Avenue N, Shoreline, (206) 393-4372.Tickets are $10 at the door or $9 in advance at Shorewood, through brownpapertickets.com or by contacting Kim Parker at (206) 393-4387.