Silverton High School students Hollyann Farris and Lindsay Elmore interviewed some of the more that 50 cast members for the SHS musical The Wizard of Oz.
Silverton High Theater
1456 Pine St.
7:30 Nov. 11;
7 p.m. Nov. 12, 17, 18, 19;
2 p.m. Nov. 13
Tickets: 503-873-6331, ext. 3778
Julian Harris, Tin Man
What is hardest about the Tin Man?
“The contrast in the character. The Tin Man is supposed to be heartless, but he is also the most emotional character, and he cries more than Dorothy. The juxtaposition of these two points of characterization are probably the hardest thing. Additionally, the Tin Man has a long dance solo and I’m not a dancer, so it’s been very challenging to choreograph that dance.”
Jasmine Ahrar, the Wicked Witch
What is the most difficult aspect?
“(It’s) a critical character. I’m having a lot of fun developing my witchiness, it’s a fun challenge. Actually I originally was trying out for Dorothy. I knew there was a lot of girls trying out for the witch and I didn’t want to step into that realm of competition.
Doug Osterhout, director
Why did you chose the show?
“This show is personal to many people of my generation. We grew up with the movie, playing the characters and reciting the lines. Our parents tell us about seeing it for the first time in the movie theater and how exciting it was to see the color. My sister and I could do the entire movie between us playing all the characters. We did that for our family quite often. This is the first time I have ever produced the show here.
“The script version we are using is the one more closely related to the 1939 movie with Judy Garland. This script also gives up some latitude for creativity that other versions don’t.”
Kate Hammelman, Cowardly Lion
Any difficulties playing your character?
“People who haven’t seen me act or don’t know me may scoff at the idea of a woman playing a traditional male role. But I don’t let it get to me… We are both the class clowns, you know, just fun and silly and we bring humor to tense situations. Unlike me, the Cowardly Lion has zero confidence and absolutely no courage. I do.”
Riley Johnston, Dorothy
How are you and your character alike?
“I am similar to Dorothy in that I can’t control my house and as a side-job modeling ruby slippers, I am a trained assassin specifically to kick the wicked witch. I am unlike Dorothy in that I’ve never been over the rainbow.”
Heidie Ambrose plays Auntie Em and Glenda, Josh Anderson is Scarecrow. The Wizard is Ethan Elliott.
