The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre brings together Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion to sing their way down the yellow brick road and into the hearts of thousands of Grand Rapids audience members.
This timeless classic pits good vs. evil, and all for a pair of ruby red shoes. “But what a pair of shoes," chimes Director Penelope Notter. “We have used three different color stones to get the right look. These shoes are beautiful.”
Between the cast, crew, orchestra, front of house, munchkin helpers and more, there are over 100 volunteers needed for each and every performance of Wizard of Oz. It is a HUGE show -- and a true sampling of just how wonderful community theatre really is.
In fact, there is an entire family part of the production. The Petkus family has been involved in local theater for years, but for the first time, all of them are working on the same production.
• Karan (mom) is a fulltime dresser
• Alan (dad) is working on the fly rail part time
• Sabrina (oldest daughter) is working part-time on the deck
• Alex (second oldest daughter) is cast as Jitterbug/Poppy
• Emerson (youngest son) is part-time crew on deck
“It’s hectic around the house,” confesses Karan Petkus. “We are all on different production schedules. But it’s nice to have two nights off a week.”
The show opened Nov. 18, but you can still catch it until it closes on Dec. 18. This cast and crew-heavy production should not be missed.
"One can truly only imagine the lives that have been enriched by the Civic Theatre over decades of performances and classes," says Bill Scarbrough, COO of the law firm Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge and president-elect of the board of the Civic Theatre. "Our firm is always proud to support the Civic Theatre and to be part of its history. We're especially excited when they offer a classic like "The Wizard of Oz" for multi-generational enjoyment."
What a timely musical to share this season to remind us all to be grateful for and appreciate the people and places that impact our daily lives.
Do you want to be a do-gooder like the Petkus family? Well, of course. Here’s how…
• Learn
more about Civic Theatre
Source: Nancy Brozek, Civic Theatre; Penelope Notter, Civic Theatre; Bill Scarbrough, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge; Karan Petkus
Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
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