Go Off and See the Wizard! Be Part of ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Ralston, NE–Ralston Community Theatre (8969 Park Dr, Ralston, NE) is holding auditions for roles in its 2024 production of The Wizard of Oz. This family classic sticks close to the 1939 movie of the same name and is sure to be a nostalgic hit for performers and audiences of all ages! Actors of all types and abilities are welcome to audition.We will be casting adults and youths (age 8 or older by May 31, 2024). BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) are wanted for lead roles.

PLEASE NOTE AN IMPORTANT CHANGE TO RCT’S AUDITION PROCESS: Those wanting to audition are asked to REGISTER for an audition time slot. Registration can be completed by visiting the link below:
https://forms.gle/bqts871LBxsWzKeA7

3 Audition Options:
In-Person
Monday, April 29
4pm-5pm – Children (ages 8-12) workshops-style audition*
5pm-7pm – Children and teens (ages 8-17) traditional audition
7pm-10pm – Adult auditions (ages 18+)

Tuesday, April 30
5pm-7pm – Children and teens (ages 8-17) traditional audition
7pm-10pm – Adult auditions (ages 18+)

Wednesday, May 1st
Possible callbacks (invitation only)

Video auditions:
Adults, teens, and children may submit video auditions by April 28 at 11:59pm. Details for submitting can be found on the online Audition Registration form.

*Workshop-style auditions:
Children (ages 8-12) may choose to attend the audition workshop on April 29 from 4pm-5pm instead of a formal audition. In this workshop, students will learn about common audition requirements, preparation, etiquette, as well as tips for landing the part! This is a lower-pressure option for those new to auditioning. Participation in this workshop will count as your audition, and workshop participants will be given equal consideration to those auditioning in the more traditional format. Those attending this workshop do not need to prepare anything, BUT MUST REGISTER THROUGH THE AUDITION REGISTRATION FORM.

Time Commitment

Rehearsals: May 26, 2024 – July 11, 2024
Performances: July 12 – 28 (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30; Sundays at 2:00)
Performers must be available for all performances.

When, Where, and How to Audition

In-Person Audition

Acting: Prepare a 60 second monologue of your choice OR select from the provided sides to read from. Provided sides can be found here. Actors will take turns performing individually for the directors.

Music: Prepare approximately one minute of singing OR choose to use the provided sheet music & backing track. Sheet music, and the backing track can be found here. Singers will take turns performing individually for the directors. An accompanist will be available, as will a bluetooth speaker for those wishing to provide their own playback or use the backing track.

Dance: Dancers will join our choreographer to learn a short dance combo. Please wear clothing and shoes you can comfortably move around in. In-person dance combo will differ from the video submission combo.
In-person auditions will be given equal consideration to those auditioning via other formats

Video Audition:
Acting: Prepare and record a 60 second monologue of your choice OR select from the provided sides to read from. Have someone out of frame read opposite of you.

Music: Prepare and record approximately one minute of singing OR choose to use the provided sheet music & backing track. Sheet music, and the backing track can be found here.
Dance: Learn and record the provided dance combination. You will find an instructional dance video here. Record yourself performing the recorded combo in an open space where you can be seen clearly from head to toe.

Video auditions will be given equal consideration to those auditioning via other formats

Workshop-style auditions:
Children ages 8-12 may choose to attend the audition workshop instead of a formal audition. In this workshop, students will learn about common audition requirements, preparation, etiquette, as well as tips for landing the part! This is a lower-pressure option for those new to auditioning. Participation in this workshop will count as your audition, and workshop participants will be given equal consideration to those auditioning via other formats.

Character Breakdown:
Character descriptions are based on the published script, but we are looking to cast actors of all identities for all roles.

Principal Adult Roles:
Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas (seeking a girl/woman ages 16-25)

Zeke/Cowardly Lion, has a timid disposition but discovers his courage on the quest
Hickory/Tinman, a kind-hearted man in search of love (seeking an actor with tap dance experience)

Hunk/Scarecrow, a lovable guy in need of a little common sense

Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West, a crabby neighbor and malevolent sorceress determined to thwart Dorothy’s journey

Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizard of Oz, a mysterious figure who appears powerful but conceals his true identity

Glinda the Good Witch of the North, a benevolent enchantress who aids Dorothy on her quest

Emerald City Guard, a guardian protecting the entrance to the majestic Emerald City

Aunt Em, Dorothy’s caring aunt in Kansas (may be double cast with Glinda)

Uncle Henry, Dorothy’s uncle and guardian in Kansas (may be double cast with Emerald City Guard)

Adult Ensemble (ages 18+):
Members of the Adult Ensemble will play the following roles: Trees, Ozians, Winkies, Jitterbugs, and others. Dancing, singing, and acting solos will be assigned from among this ensemble.aaa

Youth Ensemble (ages 8-17):
Members of the Youth Ensemble will play the following roles: Munchkins, Flying Monkeys, Ozians, and others. Dancing, singing, and acting solos will be assigned from among this ensemble.

For questions about auditions, please contact suzannewithem@gmail.com

Theatre Cedar Rapids Announces 2023-2024 Season

TCR is pleased to present our 2023-2024 Season! A simply amazing lineup of Tony Award™-winning and critically-acclaimed shows awaits you. See them all from your favorite seats, at the best price! 7-show subscriptions (full season) and 4-show subscriptions (auditorium only) are on sale now! Read the show descriptions below and book today.

BOOK YOUR 7-SHOW PACKAGE NOW HERE.
BOOK YOUR 4-SHOW PACKAGE NOW HERE.

DRACULA: A FEMINIST REVENGE FANTASY
October 12 – 29, 2023 in the Grandon Studio
By Kate Hamill, adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker
Kate Hamill boldly reimagines Bram Stoker’s classic tale of vampires and finds new monsters just beneath the skin. The gothic tropes of villains who wear evil on their sleeve and damsels in distress are replaced by all-too-human monsters and fierce women.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
Nov 17 – Dec 17, 2023 in the Auditorium
The Wizard of Oz is the classic movie come to life on stage. Follow The Scarecrow, The Tinman, The Cowardly Lion, Dorothy… and Toto too, as they meet the Wicked Witch, the Wizard and find their true hearts’ desires. All of the beloved Oscar-winning songs from the movie are here including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off To See The Wizard.” Enjoy your favorite movie moments, plus a few surprises along the way. Journey over the rainbow with your entire family and discover the wonderful world of Oz again…or for the very first time!

SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Feb 9 – Mar 3, 2024 in the Auditorium
Welcome to the Renaissance! From the co-director of The Book of Mormon and the producer of Avenue Q comes something original…something hilarious…Something Rotten! Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical!

FAIRVIEW
Mar 28 – April 7, 2024 in the Grandon Studio
By Jackie Sibblies Drury
Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Fairview is a bold and disarmingly funny play that serves as “a glorious reminder of the unmatched power of live theater to rattle, roil, and shake us wide awake.” (The New York Times). When the play opens, we meet the Frasiers, a middle class Black American family trying desperately to make everything perfect for Grandma’s birthday celebration. But not too far into the festivities, we see the Frasiers’ story through a whole new lens, leading to one of the most outrageous and jaw-dropping endings in theatre history.

SCHOOL OF ROCK
May 3 – May 26, 2024 in the Auditorium
Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! School of Rock, based on the hit Jack Black movie, follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out?

IN THE NEXT ROOM (Or the Vibrator Play)May 16 – June 2, 2024 in the Grandon Studio
By Sarah Ruhl
In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating ‘hysteria’ in women (and occasionally men): the vibrator. His young and energetic wife tries to tend to their newborn daughter—and wonders exactly what is going on in the next room. When a new ‘hysterical’ patient and her husband bring their complicated relationship into the doctor’s home, Dr. and Mrs. Givings must examine the nature of their own marriage, and what it truly means to love someone.

TO BE ANNOUNCED
(A HUGE SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER SURPRISE!)
June 21 – July 28, 2024 in the Auditorium
Announcement coming this fall! 

A Love Cursed

Out of tragedy is born love.  And out of that love arises another tragedy. . .and a bit of hope.  Come discover the story of the Tin Woodsman of Oz before he became the Tin Woodsman in the Strangemen Theatre Company’s production of The Woodsman by James Ortiz with music by Edward W. Hardy and lyrics by Claire Karpen.  It is currently playing at the Blue Barn Theatre.

The hardest thing about writing an article is coming up with a good conclusion.  This time, it’s a piece of cake.  Go see this show.

OK, now let’s get to that analytical stuff.

I knew I was going to see something different when I saw this show, but what I didn’t know was just how good it was going to be.  Ortiz has written a sensational tale about the pre-metal life of the Tin Woodsman.  It’s sweet.  It’s moving.  It’s even a little spooky at times and you’ll likely shed a tear or two before it’s all through.  For the purists, the transformation to the Tin Woodsman is very faithful to L Frank Baum’s description from the original Oz novels.  For those thinking of bringing kids, it means it’s a little grim, but not overly violent.

Ortiz draws from a wide variety of performance styles such as straight dialogue, pantomime, puppetry, and musical.  Outside of a prologue, a song, and a rare word here and there, this show is done with no dialogue and I think that’s where its real power lies.  The actors have to tell a highly nuanced tale with naught but facial expressions, body language, and little expostulations of sound.  The result is a production that ranks as one of my favorite shows of the season.

James Ortiz and Claire Karpen co-direct this singular tale and their control and execution of the story is like watching a master painter create a masterpiece from scratch.  Finding beats in dialogue is tricky enough, but finding beats without the spoken word is another beast all together and the two directors expertly strike each and every one without effort.  Under their coaching, the performers “tell” this story with crystal clear expressions and body language that let me “read” this story just as easily as I read novels.  Their direction combined with movement direction from William Gallacher creates a story that really invokes all of your senses.  You can almost smell the campfire, hear the pounding of a panicked heart, and feel the texture of a warm hand on a body that no longer has sensation.

The ensemble is a critical part of this production as they literally become the world.  They are the trees of the forest.  Their whistles are the songs of birds.  Their snaps are the pop of a fire.  Their slaps are the blows of an ax.  They also play a variety of supporting parts and I was especially impressed by the work of Barry Carman and Stephanie Jacobson as Pa and Ma Chopper as they tell an excellent story about their courtship and their life together complete with posture changes to signify their aging.  I was also floored by the work of Michael Burns, Caulene Hudson, and Be Louis with their puppetry of the Wicked Witch of the East.  Their skilled manipulations made the Witch seem like an otherworldly force of nature and a truly vile villain.

The beauty of Anna Jordan’s performance as Nimmee made me want to weep.  She has an absolutely phenomenal physicality that makes for great pantomime.  You can feel and see the fear in her tense body whenever the Witch is around.  Her selling of the routine physical abuse dealt to her by the Witch is spot on.  The slow opening of her heart to Nick Chopper is wondrous to behold.  And a bit where she and Nick try to subtly cozy up to each other by a fire is sweet and funny.

Matthew Olsen’s portrayal of Nick Chopper (the flesh and blood version of the Tin Woodsman) is equally powerful.  His love for his family is palpable and it was a joy watching his childish antics as he grew up especially as he learns to fight from his father and properly wield an ax.  His courage is inspiring as he battles a forest monster to protect Nimmee.  And his anguish is haunting as he slowly loses his human nature.

Never before have I seen a show where light was so crucial to its telling and Jamie Roderick’s work is of superior quality.  His lighting is so atmospheric as he takes you to the depths of a pitch black forest with just a wisp of sunlight peeking through to the magical charges of Nick Chopper’s amulet to the dankness of the Witch’s lair.  Jenny Pool’s costumes had a nice old fashioned flair of a long forgotten time.  The set was pretty much bare bones though I thought the tree branches hanging about the theatre and the old fashioned lights set above the stage (and a bit out into the seating area) was a very nice touch.  And the violin score provided by Samantha Perkins was heavenly especially with the haunting song of the Tin Woodsman at the end.

This is storytelling at its finest.  It’s an achingly beautiful and well told love story guaranteed to melt the coldest of hearts.  At the risk of repeating myself, go see this show.

The Woodsman plays at the Blue Barn Theatre through June 16.  Showtimes are Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 6pm.  On June 9, there will be an additional 2pm matinee and Jun 16 will have only a 2pm matinee.  Tickets are $35 ($30 for seniors) and can be obtained at www.bluebarn.org or by calling at 402-345-1576.  The Blue Barn Theatre is located at 1106 S 10^th St in Omaha, NE.

The Wamego Files: A Case Study of Victory Inn, Oz, a Headless Horseman, and Zombies

Victory Inn

Well, October is here which brings visions of colorful leaves, Halloween, haunted houses, and a return to the road.

This leg of the road would bring me to Wamego, KS as I had negotiated a media ticket with the famed Columbian Theatre to review their production of Sleepy Hollow.  My home away from home would be the Victory Inn Bed and Breakfast owned and operated by Francis and Margaret Feyh.

I was particularly looking forward to traveling this time as I would actually be going in a new direction.  Nothing but highways going west and south.  New scenery, at last.  It was a pleasant afternoon for a drive and I enjoyed passing through the small towns of our great country.  About 1pm, my thoughts turned to lunch just as I began to pass through the town of Tecumseh in Nebraska.

Lo and behold I saw a place called Frazier’s Café off to my left and decided it would be a make for a good break.  I glanced through the menu looking for something different when my eyes fell upon a meal listed as the H Bomb which described itself as a spicy chicken fried steak sandwich.  I decided to order one though I thought the price was a little high at $9.95.  That is I thought it was a little high until I actually got the sandwich.

Frazier’s Cafe

This sucker was about the size of an H Bomb as well.  It was so big that I needed a knife and fork to eat it.  It was tasty and big enough for 2 meals which is exactly what I made out of it.

Full from lunch, I continued my drive which included traveling through Burchard, NE, the birthplace of silent film star, Harold Lloyd.  About 3:30pm I entered Wamego and parked in its downtown area.  I wandered up and down the street admiring the buildings.  I stepped into the library and thumbed through a few books before I finally headed over to Victory Inn.

I was immediately struck by the beauty of the inn.  It had a well manicured backyard with a little waterfall and gazebo.  I rang the doorbell of the back door and waited a few minutes.  Upon hearing nothing, I began to search out the front door when I heard the turn of doorknob.  I did an about face and retraced my steps as Margaret welcomed me into her home.

She quickly led me to the Victory Inn Suite before leaving me to my own devices.  I got myself settled and goggled at the palace sized bathroom which housed a Jacuzzi bathtub before exploring the house.  I admired the antiques and glassware and bumped into Margaret’s husband, Francis who quietly welcomed me to the inn.

After wandering about the home, I drew a hot bath and enjoyed a good long soak before slipping into my suit and heading over to the Columbian Theatre.

Columbian Theatre

The theatre is quite an impressive edifice.  It was built in the late 1800s as a music hall and that same hall still serves as the theatre’s performance space.

The show itself was rather disappointing. After a rough show, I walked back to the inn where I wrote a very difficult review and then retired for the night.

In the morning I was ready for breakfast and Margaret had a nice repast waiting.  There was nothing fancy about the meal.  It was just good old-fashioned home cooking with eggs, bacon, cinnamon coffee cake, some amazing hash browns, and juice.

Old fashioned country breakfast

I needed some exercise so I spent the next two hours wandering around Wamego where I visited the park, saw the town’s famed windmill, and then I stopped at the famed Oz Museum.

The windmill of Wamego

The Wizard of Oz is very big in this town.  Not only do they have a museum dedicated to all things Oz but several businesses are named after items in the story such as Oz Winery and Toto’s Tacoz.

The Oz Museum has brought in visitors from all over the globe and it was actually an interesting little visit.  The history of L Frank Baum (author of the series), the birth of the stories, the creation of the famed movie, and other Ozian things came to life before my eyes.  The most surprising piece of trivia I learned was that the books were so popular that other writers were brought on to create more stories after Baum’s passing.  Baum had written 15 stories, but the series ended after the 40^th novel written in the late 1960s.  For those who have the time or desire, the film is also shown all day.

When I stepped outside it looked like it was about ready to rain so I decided to while away the afternoon in my room where I watched the Iowa Hawkeyes pummel the Purdue Boilermakers.

After thoroughly enjoying Iowa’s shellacking of Purdue, I took another Jacuzzi bath and then headed over to St Bernard’s Catholic Church for worship.  The church is a pretty impressive edifice and looked fairly new to my eyes.  My eyes did not deceive as the building was erected in 2010.

St Bernard Catholic Church

It was a pretty good service and Father had a very thought-provoking sermon about how 80% of Catholics no longer attend services which got me to thinking as to how much the attendance rate had fallen amongst all denominations.  His most telling statement was, “I don’t think it’s because we (he was an elderly man) were old-fashioned.  I think we’ve just lost faith.”  Very profound food for thought.

After services, I had hoped to eat at the Friendly Cooker, a diner on the main street of Wamego.  However, the only nights they serve supper are Thursdays and Fridays.  Instead, I decided to try the cuisine at Toto’s Tacoz.

Toto’s Tacoz

Twas not a bad choice at all.  I had the namesake food which ended up being shredded beef, cheese, onions, lettuce, cilantro, sour cream, and tomatoes on a tortilla.  It was seasoned quite nicely and a little of it goes quite far.

Then I headed over to Junction City, a military town (Fort Riley is nearby) to experience Zombie Toxin.  As a teenager in Omaha, I rather enjoyed the haunted house attractions available in the city and we have some pretty good ones.  While my interest in them has waned as I’ve gotten older, this one made me curious as it touted itself as the #1 haunted attraction in Kansas.

After visiting it, I can say that those claims are perfectly valid.  I would also like to give a special shout-out to Rob for providing me with a speed pass media ticket so I could enjoy Zombie Toxin.

First off, this attraction pays meticulous attention to the details.  It begins with the story of Dr. Von Monschture which I absolutely love because it gives a sense of reality to the attraction.  Once inside, you appreciate the care that went into this place.  Each room has a specific atmosphere and a lot of creativity went into creating the numerous experiments in Von Monschture’s quest to revivify corpses.  There’s nothing cheap about the horrors here.  It has the quality of a big budget horror flick.

Aside from the horrifying beasts, you’ll have to deal with crackling electricity, falling barrels, giant wolf’s heads and a maze in darkness in your attempts to escape from the mad scientist.  Oh, and be wary.  The weird creations and characters of the house pop out anywhere and anytime.  I’m still trying to figure out who or what grabbed my jacket at about the halfway point.

If you live in the vicinity of Junction City and are looking for something to do this Halloween season, visit Zombie Toxin.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.

After visiting the haunted house, it was time to head back to the inn for the night.

For some reason my sleep was a little fitful.  I popped out of my sleep due to goofy dreams on a couple of occasions, but still felt well rested when I woke up for good around 7am.

Another old fashioned breakfast was on the table consisting of pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cinnamon pecan rolls, juice, and water.  Once more I ate my fill, then came back to finish writing.

Another leg of the road has been completed and Wamego is a quaint little town with friendly folk and a bit to do.  Take in a show at the Columbian.  Travel to the merry old land of Oz.  And for those who need more, the town of Manhattan is less than 30 minutes away.  But make sure you get a room at Victory Inn, you’ll get comfort, hospitality, and a good meal.

Until the next time.