The Cast
| Dorothy | Zoe Miller |
| Aunt Em/Glinda | Charla Mason |
| Uncle Henry/Guard | Ron Welch |
| Zeke/Lion | Robert Michael Sanders |
| Hickory/Tinman | Barret Harper |
| Hunk/Scarecrow | Eric Mather |
| Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch West | Lori Hansen |
| Professor Marvel/Wizard | Jim Hunt |
| Ensemble | Tyrell Rae |
| Ensemble | Liam Speros |
| Ensemble | Jake Peterson |
| Ensemble | John Mackey |
| Ensemble | Lyndsay Giraldi-Palmer |
| Ensemble | Erica Lloyd |
| Ensemble | Stacey Nelson |
| Ensemble | Jenny Parris |
| Ensemble | Lori Andrews |
| Munchkin/Major/Jitterbug | Jackson Garske |
| Munchkin/Coroner | Preston Novinger |
| Munchkin | Lexi Lubotsky |
| Munchkin | Killian Ridder |
| Munchkin | Brooke Robertson |
| Munchkin | Matthew Lloyd |
| Munchkin | Grace Boorom |
| Munchkin | Maren Walsh |
| Munchkin | Kate Lubotsky |
The Production Team and Crew
| David & Julie Payne | Directors |
| Donna K. Debreceni | Music Director/Musical Tracks |
| Kelly Kates | Choreographer |
| Tina Anderson | Set Designer |
| Seth Alison | Lighting Designer |
| John Rivera | Sound Designer | Rob Costigan | Properties Manager | Cindy Franke | Costume Designer |
| Mathew Kepler | Production Stage Manager |
Set Renderings for Wizard of Oz by Tina Anderson
We're Off to Stage the Wizard!
Q & A with Julie Payne, Wizard of Oz Co-Director
David and Julie Payne have directed individually and as a team throughout Colorado since 1982. They last directed Steven Dietz' Dracula for Town Hall and are thrilled to return. They have also directed for The Arvada Center, The Aurora Fox, Backstage Theatre, The Denver Civic Theatre & PHAMALy. David & Julie are proud theatre educators for The Logan School for Creative Learning.
Town Hall sat down to speak with Julie Payne about the task of staging Wizard of Oz:
Why did you want to direct the Wizard of Oz?
The film, The Wizard of Oz is a personal favorite for David and me. We have always loved it and became somewhat expert on it when I developed a customized corporate presentation comparing Dorothy's yellow brick road journey with the twists and turns of the corporate brick road.
How difficult has it been to stage the show?
The space at Town Hall presents certain innate challenges. This is a big show with a large cast. We're fortunate to be working with talented designers who know how to use the space to its best advantage.
How true is it to the movie?
Our goal has been to evoke the heart and flavor of the movie but not imitate it. The action and music is much the same with a few fun additions.
How has it been directing both children and animals?
The old show biz adage is to never work with kids or animals. However, we have taught children for many years and find them to be enthusiastic and fun. The kids in this show are all very serious about what they are doing and work very hard. Lucy, our Toto, is adjusting to being thrust into show business. Like most canines, she'll work for food. Fortunately, Preston Novinger, one of the kids in the ensemble, is an award winning dog trainer. He's been a huge help.
There is a lot of speculation about how you will handle the more spectacular moments in the show, can you give our audience a sneak preview of any of those moments?
Making the twister exciting without the benefit of film style special effects takes a lot of creativity. Our choreographer, Kelly Kates has done a great job by turning the whole thing into a dance. It's made all the more wonderful by Donna Debreceni's amazing tracks. They are both perfectionists and skilled in what they do. It's a privilege to work with them.
What is your favorite scene in the show?
It's hard to choose one scene. We love the story so much and our cast is doing a great job of bringing it to life. The actors playing the four main characters are so engaging and just right for their roles. We decided before auditions if we could find a Dorothy who is actually a child, that would be our preference. Fortunately for us, Zoe Miller showed up. She's thirteen years old and she's fabulous. It's a big responsibility to carry a show like this, and she's up to the task. We also have an amazing actress, Lori Hansen, playing the Wicked Witch of the West. She is doing a great job of making the role her own. She's definitely scary.
With so many things to do/shows to see during the holiday season, why would ask people to to see the Wizard of Oz at THAC?
There are a lot of things available to do around town during the holiday season, but Wizard of Oz at Town Hall is a chance to enjoy a true family event. It appeals to all ages, and its amazing staying power as a beloved classic in American culture speaks to the entertainment value it holds. I think an afternoon or evening spent watching this show will create a lasting memory.
Thanks to Julie Payne for giving us a sneak preview of Wizard of Oz, we hope to see you at Town Hall!
