Once again we had people asking us to extend the run of the show because they heard how great it was.  There are those that always wait for the second weekend because they want to hear if the show is any good.  We have to give a heavy sigh.  Even though the productions look professional, this is an all volunteer organization.  We all have lives to get back to and plans for the coming weekends that have been put on hold for over two months.

We always do our absolute best to put on a quality enjoyable show.  I have not heard complaints, and we frequently sell out at least one of the final weekend shows.  My point...  take a chance (and it won't be much of one!) and come to the show the first weekend.  I have never heard of a first weekend selling out.  The ticket cost is less than half of those of amateur theater in Cedar Rapids or the Amanas, and 1/5 to 1/6 the cost of shows in Chicago or Minneapolis.  (We won't even talk about shows on Broadway or on the west coast.)

Lots of people are sorry they missed this one.  We're sorry you missed it too!  Ask to get put on our mailing list, and become a member.  You'll get early notification of ticket sales, so you don't have to miss a show or worry about getting a good seat.  Thanks for the success of The Wizard of Oz!

I am in the process of editing the cast photos taken at Tuesday's rehearsal.   As soon as I have them ready I'll post a small sample of them online.

Ticket sales continue strong.  There are general admission seats available for all remaining performances.  There are a very few balcony reserved seats left for Thursday and even less for Friday's performance.   For Saturday, even the General admission seats are going fast.   Make sure you don't miss this one.  Get your name on some tickets.  We all hope to see you there!

Unfortunately for you, if you don't have tickets yet, you need to move fast!  While we have general admission tickets remaining for all performances, reserved seating is sold out for tonight, the Sunday matinee, and next Saturday night.   At this point in time, your best night to get tickets is Thursday October 7th.   We always tell you not to wait.  This is an example of why it isn't a good idea.   Call now and get some of the remaining reserved seats for Oct 7th and Oct 8th, or put your name on some general admission tickets for any night.

The little tiny details I have been dealing with, are which way someone faces, what exact spot some set piece is moved to, and exactly when lights go up or come down.  These are the things that a director hopes and prays he can indeed deal with in the final days before a production.  It means that the show is ready to go, and that I actually have the luxury of dealing with some of these items that most people wouldn't notice, but that will add to the overall effect of the show.

As far as being anxious, that's not because of problems, but because I want audiences to see what we have put together.  I sometimes think that I am more excited about this than the cast!   The Wizard of Oz is an amazing show, and everyone has done a wonderful job at putting it together.   It's past time to share!

Normally at this point in a show, I suggest that the show needs an audience.  Part of the reason for that is because the actors and crew need that audience to push them the last final bit into a wonderful show.  This show doesn't need an audience.   It has achieved a level of greatness already.   If this cast has been holding back, and is going to be inspired to a new level by an audience, then I can't begin to describe the experience that you will have if you are lucky enough to have tickets to this show.

There are still seats left.   Don't waste time, call NOW and reserve your chance to see thousands of hours of combined effort in bringing The Wizard of Oz to the Elkader Opera House stage.  You won't regret or forget the experience.

There are still tickets availble for all performances.   As of this writing (Thursday morning September 30th) there are reserved seating tickets available for October 1, 7, & 8, 2004.  You can still purchase general admission tickets in advance for the October 2, 3, & 9, 2004 shows.   Thanks for your interest in this show.  We're happy to be bringing it to you!    The wonderful Wizard of Oz is about to descend upon the area for a six performance run!

The work continued yesterday, and by last night a very dedicated cast and crew put together a show that absolutely amazed and thrilled me.  Basically, I pushed, they responded, and the show quality went up several notches.   I knew what these people were capable of when we started, and they just proved me right!   If we can keep this show growing over the next three rehearsals, you will see a show that will rival any show you have EVER seen.   A fantastic tribute to a wonderful movie brought to life on stage by as dedicated of a cast and crew as any director could ask for.

To say I'm excited to share this show is a supreme understatement.   Lots and lots of late nights and long days are paying off.  We don't just have a show, we have a PRODUCTION "par excellence".

With this weekend being homecoming for both Elkader Central and Monona MFLMarMac there were lots of activities that took people away.  It did also free up some time for other people to come in and work yesterday afternoon and into the evening.   Work continues at the Opera House this morning and into the early afternoon.   Technical rehearsals are scheduled for early afternoon with a full show rehearsal mid afternoon and into early evening.   That will be followed by more set work as we iron out the final details of what we want to accomplish.

Sunday all day will be spent working on similar things as well as on the final details of "presentation" that will turn this into a seamless show that you will remember for a long time.

Then we have Monday through Thursday to work out any kinks, perfect the timing, integrate all the special effects, and fine tune the actors delivery of lines.  Plenty of time! <grin>

The Wizard of Oz opens on Friday October 1, 2004, 8pm.   While there are still tickets left, it is looking more and more like some of these six performances will end up being sellouts.  Get your tickets in advance, and get ready for an OHP trip to OZ!

Monday was a day of many conflicts for many people, so there was no rehearsal.  There was time to get some more sound & projection work done, as well as modifications of set pieces to make them work smoother.  Much more time was spent getting our thoughts around how to accomplish what is yet to be done.

With the help of Kim, I finally have some pictures to share.

Dorothy & Toto on stage.

There are at least seven different projects being worked on here.   The stage becomes very full during these sessions as it is the largest area we have to work.

Detail set work takes patients and time.

As you can see, lots happening in lots of different ways.  All of it important to the final show.  It is fun to watch thing go from functional, to beautiful, and there was a lot of that happening over the weekend.   Thanks to all of the people who spent their beautiful weekend on the Opera House stage!  Now... it's your turn to get your ticket so that *you* can spend an evening and enjoy their work.

As I look back over my past several comments, I see that for some reason, for this show, more than any other in recent history, I've been spending a good deal of time mentioning some of the people both on stage and behind the scenes that make this possible.

There is a good reason for that.   Those of you who read these comments are my only outlet as director to properly recognize the people who ordinarily get lost in the background during a production such as this.  People often think they know what goes into a show and are amazed.  If you are thinking of the hundreds of man hours that it takes to make this possible, it's time to start instead in terms of the thousands of hours, and I don't think I am in any way exaggerating.

While beginning to list some people is always fraught with the chance that you miss people who are also working hard, I feel the need today to point out some specific volunteers who are stepping above and beyond as always.

Tom Chandler, our technical director, and orchestra director, and special effects wizard, and special costume constructor and.. well you get the idea.   Tom has devoted countless hours and vehicle miles to this show.  He and his brother Bill have designed and created the Tin Man costume, along with lots of other items to numerous to mention.  Without Tom, the show would not happen, because as the director, I would spend my time settling for less than the best possible.  I know that Tom cares about this show as much as I do, since we have constant "discussions" about the best way to do things.

Kay Moser is working back stage to organize over 80 cast and crew members back stage into a smoothly operating unit that turns three hour disorganized show into a two hour never slow extravaganza.  The orchestra is constantly figuring out how much of the "scene change" music can be cut. 

Diane Fisk has spent countless hours designing dances for and teaching people who are not normally dancers, to become one.

Terri Strutt is that always pleasant voice you hear on the end of the ticket line letting you know that, yes indeed, these are the best seats remaining!   She takes calls and returns calls at all hours of the day.  I've seen her answer the phone before 7am, and after 10pm, always with the same cheerful voice, all while trying to keep track of the thousands of seats sold and the funds as they come in.

Barb Chandler has been working since early summer to organize an army of people to sew costumes, some of which she designed herself. 

Then there are the people that go above and beyond with hours and hours of volunteer time, like Clark Ott (along with his entire family).  Sophia Landis (Dorothy), her mother Betty and their entire family, who have worked on a daily basis to not only learn lines and songs, but also to train our Toto, a job that gets absolutely NO days off!This show brings us the new people as well, like Patrick McNally (father of our most excellent Glinda) who brings his engineering and construction talents to making the flying of Glinda and the Monkeys even smoother. 

We have new people and some very familiar faces working on set drops.  The parents of all the kids involved that ferry these kids to and from school events, still working hard to get them to each and every rehearsal on time, and have YET to complain when we had to run long.

I'm sure I'm missing people, but you get the idea.   No matter how occassionally frustrated we get, the love of what we are doing always shines though.   If we were all paid employees, we would demand raises and talk about unfair working conditions.  As it is, we will provide you with a show that will make you laugh, gasp, smile, and perhaps bring a tear, just like, or even more than the first time you ever watched the famous movie.

If you see any of these people on the street, tell them thank you for me for everything they have done.  Better yet, seek them out at the show, and thank them for the experience that you just enjoyed!  The road to Oz continues to bring lasting memories.  Come and join us and make a few memories of your own!

From this point forward, it is organization and detail that will make the show special.  That is where the OHP shines.  There are lots of years of talent working to make this show something that you will talk about for a long time.

Many of the details are coming along well.  We still have some set pieces to start, and lots of them to finish.   Some special effects are ready, others are still in the planning stages.  All of them need to go through their practice phases.

It is a joy to listen to the characters continue to grow.   Some of these voices and actions are absolutely wonderful.   Everyone is doing a wonderful job, but I must say that at this point, the voice of the Lion, Glinda, Dorothy, The Oz Guard, and the Munchkin Barristor are something special.  The character is really there.  These people are helping to move the rest of our talented cast even further into their characters as well.  The entire show benefits and is raised to a higher level.

We're working on all the technical details that will help us make everything work.  We're working on perfect fast scene changes, perfect lighting, and perfect sound.  We want you to never get bored, and never strain to see or hear.  When you have a cast that is doing the job they are doing, it is up to the crew, and the director to make sure that we show off their talent as well as we possibly can.

I know I have been lax in getting some photographs online.  I hope to start to remedy that situation.  Getting the show ready comes first however!   It was once said that there is nothing a person can't accomplish if they are willing to share the credit.  I'm sharing the credit for this show with an incredible number of talented hard working people.  Cooperation is a wonderful thing.  Come and share in our fun.

A couple of my "official" jobs have been the program and the t-shirts for cast members.  I'm very happy to say I have at least mostly checked those off my lists.  That means another 30-45 minutes per day that will again be available for working on other things, like finding the perfect little pipes for the "Lollypop Guild", or finishing up on some of the "special effects" video that we hope will WOW you.

Timing, which is always important, is critical for some sections of this show.  This is the first time that I know of, where we have employed timed special effects in a live show.  This will take some practice.

In the mean time, there are lots of dedicated people finishing up on lines, training dogs, painting set, and building magic.  Don't be one of the people that missed the magic.  Join us in Oz!

Interestingly enough, life seems not to care, and other conflicts come up.  This is of course compounded when you have a cast of 73 people. The standard speech in the beginning, is simple.  "We were first on your schedule".  Jobs and school events seem not to care about that however.   As we approach the final weeks, and I get into that familiar state of panic <grin>, I know that this cast will work with me to make things happen.

A tremendous amount of work to be done yet.  I'll resist the urge to post the list of things that are going through the director's head at this point in time.  Most of you would be assured of two things: 1) The show will never happen.  2) The director (and crew) are obviously insane to try.    The amazing thing is, virtually every show gets to this point.  Every show happens, and happens well.  If this show appears to need a bit more magic, don't worry.   We have a wizard involved.    As a matter of fact...  we have several!

Our graphic artists are working and planning on drops and projected video for scenes.  Many of these items are begun, others are still in the planning stages.   The cover graphic is supposed to be in my hands tonight, which means lots of hours over the weekend for Cary.   As soon as I have it, I'll scan it and get it up on the web site.

It also will go on the program covers which will head to the printers in the next couple of days.   That leads me to a thank you to those people who have been contacting the very supportive businesses in the area.   Once again, we have the support of a good number of patrons that allow the Opera House Players to continue to put on these shows.  Today finishes up that drive.  If you are a business that hasn't been contacted, and you would like to show your support for the OHP, please feel free to contact us at our ticket number (563) 873-2378, and let us know.   We will gratefully accept your support and may still be able to get you listed in the program if time allows.

Costume people are working hard and costumes are being finished in good numbers.  Most of the set pieces are now at least begun.  We still have a few "blank canvases" as far as props and set pieces go, but there are lots of ideas that just haven't come to fruition.   We're still working on basic structure for set pieces, then comes the hard work to detail them and make them become what they need to be.

As you watch the show, remember that every rock, every bush, every tree had to be designed, created, and detailed.  I can not begin to count the number of hours that goes into each piece, many that are used for a few minutes only.  They all add to the illusion and excitement that is The Wizard of Oz and we want to make sure that the show is an enjoyable experience from beginning to end.

We are "building" our orchestra now.  They will join us next week after a couple of rehearsals on their own.   It is all coming together.   Ticket sales are still brisk.  There are still seats left.  Don't wait, contact us now for your seat to see this wonderful show!

Costumes are beginning to show up.  Thanks to all the people in the area that are working to help costume 73 cast members, some in multiple costumes as they have multiple roles!  I can't begin to thank Barb Chandler enough for heading up this task.  If you want to see the beginnings of some of that work, be sure to watch the Labor Day Parade in McGregor.   We'll have a contingent marching, even if the street isn't made of yellow brick.

On stage, the cast is coming along well.  Jitterbugs are dancing (thanks Diane!).  That scene is going to be a wonderful visual and auditory treat.  The munchkins are doing very well with "Munckinland".   Lots of work on helping them stay "in character" left to do.   Too many distractions.  We've yet to tackle some other dance scenes that have to happen.

We're working steadily on rigging, set pieces, technical items, and orchestra.   The sooner we get everything together, the happier I'll be.   It's juggling what we are working on, while trying to make sure that everything is at least started or planned for that make the mind boggle the most.  Right now, it's a case of "what are we forgetting?" and I can assure you, we are missing things at this point.  One month left.  On occasion, I can imagine what the Olympic marathoners feel like after mile five with the hills in front of them.

There are many times when someone approaches me toward the end of a production with a "why didn't you have them..."  Any more, I just smile and forgive them. <grin>

There is nothing I like more than taking the last several rehearsals and tweaking the show into perfection.   It isn't often we have that luxury.  That's why I appreciate so much when I have a cast that is working toward being out of their books this early in the rehearsal schedule.   You'll appreciate it too when you see this production.

Tonight we block the other big scene: The Emerald City.  This one will end up with 39 people on stage.  After everyone went home following rehearsal last night, the production crew started working on the final details of blocking, props, and set for this scene.  By 11pm, we were done and ready for tonight.

In the meantime, we have people out driving the countryside, looking for the perfect "Kansas" farm scene for the opening and closing of the show.  We also had some discussion about lighting with some of our "light crew" last night as well, and the orchestra music has arrived.  Lots and lots of work yet to do, but things are slowly beginning to come together.  We have time yet to get things together.  The way early member ticket sales have been going, you may not have the same amount of time to get your tickets.   There are still good seats left now.   Public sales begin September 1st.  Don't wait too long!

A supporting member is someone who "joins" the Opera House Players for an annual donation of any amount.   Those who donate $25 or more are listed in the programs for the season (unless they request not to be listed.)  They also gain the ability to purchase their tickets 2 weeks prior to when tickets go on sale to the general public.  For a show like The Wizard of Oz that can make a difference.   If for some reason, you are not on our mailing list, and did not receive the opportunity to become a supporting member, click here to find out more about this new way to support theater in our area.

Tuesday night was our first run through for Munchkinland.  Parent's, teachers, and anyone else who had anything to do with this group of kids, start patting yourself on the back now and often.   I have never worked with a better group of kids.  I had no problems during the two hour rehearsal.   People who were in attendance, and didn't know otherwise, wondered how many times these kids had practiced this material.  This was their first time.  Producing a musical can be a difficult concept to understand sometimes.   We start with nothing more than pieces of tape on the stage (if that!) and say things like - "There will be a small house here, a drop with a scene here, and when the previous scene ends, everything will go black.  This screen will be coming up.  When that happens you need to walk to this spot and get into this position.   You can't stand here, because that's where Glinda will fly in."

Explain those things to kids that have never seen anything like this done.  We start by pretending, then bit by bit we add the magic.  Set, props, costumes, lights, and full orchestra along with all the technical details like smoke for the wicked witch and making Glinda fly.  Sometime I'd love to film bits and pieces of everything from start to finish.  Sort of "the making of a musical".  The problem is, we're too busy "making" the musical to do so.  These words will have to be the record of our progress.

The projection screen is up and working, two new drops are ordered for other scenes, and rehearsals continue tonight.  Me... I'm up at 5am wondering what I'm forgetting to do.  Your job?   Become a sponsoring member and get your tickets!  The Wizard of Oz is on the way.

Because of the need for so many different scenes, as well as the fact that many of the scenes need to move, we are also working with projection equipment to make some of the magic happen.   This of course, requires not only the right equipment, but also the artistic and technical talents of someone skilled in video creation and digital video editing and manipulation.   If this is all starting to make your head spin, you're not alone!   I'm right there with you.   It is all coming together however.   My job as director is to make sure all the parts work as one flawless performance, from each actor's performance, to the orchestra, lights, set, costumes, the technical effects, right down to the program you will hold in your hand.   Spread the word, come with us as we "follow the yellow brick road".

We heard lots of things last night that let me know that this is going to be a wonderful show.   I'm sure there were cast members there that were wondering how this is all going to work.  If the cast continues to be there and to give the show the attention to detail that I saw last night, this will be an absolutely fantastic production.

Very large cudos to the Munchkins, Poppies and parents for showing us just how wonderfully kids can behave when asked.   We've told them up front that with a cast of 70+ people you can't be running around.  By far the great majority showed us not only how well they can pay attention, but just how well they can follow a script and score, singing and giving lines when they are supposed to be doing so.

I was also excited by the reading and singing quality of our principal characters.  If we can grow into this show as we always do, you will never have an opportunity to see a better production of The Wizard of Oz than what will occur the first two weekends in October.

As an added bonus, now that I've had the opportunity to speak with the cast, we have added a Matinee performance on the first weekend.   There will be a Sunday October 3, 2004 3pm performance in addition to our other five shows.   I will update the web site as soon as I get official approval from Tams-Witmark for the show.

One of the largest items of concern is something that the Opera House Players have been proud of for many years.   Absolutely no scene change can take more 45 seconds.   In truth, it is very rare for any one of our scene changes to take more than 30 seconds.   Our true desire is to let one scene fade into the next in a matter of seconds.   Once we have the audience's attention, we never want to give that up.  It makes the show a continuous event.

Tonight we begin the process of creating that event.   It is always amazing to anyone who ever has been involved, the amount of change there is between the first few rehearsals and the end result.  We've always threatened to film the first several rehearsals.  In the end, we decided we all would rather forget the beginning, and enjoy the end, as I'm sure you will!

Thanks to the many of you who are becoming supporting members of the Opera House Players.   We have your early ticket orders, and will begin processing them when member ticket sales begin on August 18th.   For everyone else, ticket sales will begin September 1st.   We already have requests for tickets on every single night of a performance.  The show obviously has great appeal.  We're anxious to live up to and exceed your expectations.

Some people may have noted that the three tots (lullaby league) and the jitterbugs (dancers) have not yet been cast.   The jitterbugs will be taken mainly from the young adult portion of our Oz chorus.  We'll need to see who has the dancing ability.  The three tots will be taken from the munchkin chorus.  We'll be looking for some dancing ability as well as vocal talents.    I felt these final decisions could be left until we started rehearsals.

Just thinking about what has to happen in the next 8+ weeks makes my head spin.  I'm sure it will all happen, as it always does.  I've contacted all of the cast (except those few that are on vacation right now.)  Everyone is expressing excitement to get started.   We're ready to make The Wizard of Oz come alive!

I'll try to get the schedule out in the next couple of days to those who have email.  Otherwise I'll have it there at the first rehearsal on August 10th, 7pm in the Elkader Opera House.  That one will be a full read through and I hope that most everyone (except those who already let me know they can't) will be there.

We spent a good number of hours detailing out each scene and we have a good idea of how the set will work, as well as a good beginning of the exact blocking of scenes.

Lots and LOTS of technical stuff to be worked out yet.  It seems like a long time, but I know well that October 1st will come upon us fast!   Cast members, spread the word. The Wizard of Oz rehearsals start on August 10th.  Hang on for 9 exciting weeks!

We're still working on many of the technical details.  For those of you wondering, I plan on starting rehearsals on August 10th.   I will be sending out official notices as soon as I get the full schedule arranged.

The core production crew will be spending next week ironing out as many of the final details as we can.  Cast members, if you are keeping up on the web site, and have any last minute schedule conflicts I need to know before the rehearsal schedule is set, please email before Friday night.

The Wizard of Oz is about to swing into high gear!

We're investigating a variety of techniques to bring many of the more technical aspects of the show to the stage.  Certainly we want to "fly" characters where the show calls for that to happen.  Those of you who saw the OHP production of Peter Pan will recall that "flying" is old hat around the Opera House.   There are other aspects of the show that are going to take some thought and lots of pre-planning to pull off as well.  Those plans and discussions are underway.

Costumes have started their work as well.  Cast members, if you haven't been measured yet, please take the time to contact us for a time to get that done.  We want to work on costuming throughout the summer months when people may have some more time to get those things done.  

We're already working with our possible Toto and Dorothy to get that "relationship" forming.  There are so many things that we want to do to make this show special.  You will be hearing a LOT about The Wizard of Oz this year.   Not only from us, but from many other sources.   This is the 65th anniversary of the original release of the movie.  Add to this the fact that Somewhere Over the Rainbow ranked number one as the all time most memorable song from any musical, and there will continue to be lots of discussion about the show.

Stay tuned for more as we get started in full force on a true OHP production of the Royal Shakespear Company version of The Wizard of Oz.

Our costume people are well on their way to designing the costumes for the various characters, and with the high number of people in the cast, that is indeed a job!

Several of you have contacted me about the rehearsal schedule.   I am in the midst of preparation for the opening of Songs for a New World which opens next Friday June 25th.   That is taking all my energy at this point in time, but I am ready to jump into Oz after that run is finished.   As soon as I can get a schedule worked up, I will place it on the web and email it out to those of you connected.  It may take a bit because of the number in the cast.   I have to watch out for already known conflicts. 

A show of this complexity takes quite a bit of organizing and a LOT of volunteer help.  This area is truly blessed with people who are willing to step up and help make things happen.  Producing this show on the 65th anniversary of the release of the original movie makes it all the more special.   Stay tuned, I'll try to keep you all up to date as things continue to progress with the show.

Hopefully we will hear back from a few of you yet and there will be no changes to what we have released.   This is a large and exciting (as well as excited!) cast.   We spent several more hours over the weekend working out details of set, props, tech requirements as well as costuming and other requirements of the show.   LOTS left to do.   We will be contacting people who said they would help and get going yet this summer on many details that will make this fall go much smoother.

Thanks to all of you who tried out for the show.   We hope to give you the most spectacular Wizard of Oz that you have ever seen.

Show Cast - Click here

Notifications have already begun.  There are several parts that I am not specifically casting until after we begin to meet.  They involve some dancing, and I want our choreography people to help decide who will get those additional roles.

The casting was especially difficult in certain areas.  All shows are different in their casting requirements.   This show was definitely more limited in the adult / young adult requirements.  That means there are a number of very talented people that we cut from the cast.  We had more room for kids, and were able to use more there, for which we all were thankful.  Everyone who attended the tryouts commented on the talent they saw and heard on the stage.

The Oz cast is officially a reality.   The show is on the way.   As soon as we have contacted the remainder of the 90+ people, I'll have the cast on the web site.  Stay tuned!

I do not want to call someone, tell them they are out, then find that I have someone else who for some reason says they can't take part.  Please bear with us.   I'll touch base with the rest of the production staff today, and begin making contacts.  We're meeting again tonight, and hope to have enough response back that we can make final decisions and finish up the calling / emailing.

Again, if you are watching this site for information, check your email and get back to me as you can to help us out in doing this in a timely manner.   People are anxious to see the final casting, and we are anxious to release it as well!

After another late night with 3 1/2 hours of deliberation, we have the show pretty well cast.   There are some minor decisions that can't be made until some of the calls start and we see people's response.  There are other decisions that won't be made final until after the first several rehearsals.  There are parts where as we looked through the tryout information we had recorded and put faces and names together, we realized there were several people who could perform a munchkin solo role equally well from the information we had at tryouts.   Since it is our desire to have the best show possible, we hope to cast as many qualified people as possible and then make some of the final decisions as we see the capabilities of those people unfold.

I will begin to contact a few people so that we can do our final shuffling for the major roles.  Once those people have accepted or declined, we will start the more general calling.  

We are doing our best to do this efficiently, however, there are still more than 80 qualified people in our stacks.   If our stage was much larger, that wouldn't be a problem.   As it is, I'm afraid that there are still some cuts that need to be made.  Once we lock down the major speaking / singing roles, we will see what our capabilities for chorus members will be.

I hope I am giving you the understanding of just how difficult an undertaking this is.  The area has once again proven that it is full of talented people.  The production staff is made up of people who absolutely love theater and know what a wonderful experience it can be for all involved.   It makes it that much harder to say no to someone that would do a perfectly wonderful job on stage.

On a good and exciting note, if you're thinking that this means the show this fall will most likely be a wonderful one, you are correct.  Stay tuned, and keep up with the happenings in the land of Oz!

They told us when we planned to do this show that we would see LOTS of people want to be involved.   That is proving to be true in every sense of the word.  We've had people stop members of the production crew in the street and ask when tickets were going on sale, while simultaneously offering their assistance in the production.  We WILL be contacting people back.  Lots of help will be needed to make this show what we want it to be.

We spent a couple of hours after tryouts working to get at least some idea of casting while people were fresh in our memory.  We have a good skeletal idea of the cast, but things may definitely still move around a bit.

For those of you anxiously awaiting, we will meet again tonight (after a Songs for a New World practice) and continue our discussions.  It is my sincere hope that we can begin calling and emailing people Wednesday.   Certainly I will let you know here when we have the show cast.  We don't release the cast online to the general public until those people we have cast definitely tell us yes, as someone turning down a role has a definite effect on the rest of the cast.

Along those lines, when we do contact you, please do your best to get back to us as soon as possible if we have to leave a message so that we can continue with the rest of the people involved.   Stay tuned - We hope to announce the cast for this wonderful show in the next several days.

I don't have actual tryout sheets in front of me to do a count, but I know we had more that 60 people there last night.   It ended up being a longer night than we had hoped, but it also ended up being more exciting than we could possibly have hoped as well.

Over 40 munchkins on stage for tryout, and more than 15 possible Dorothys.  And when I say possible Dorothys, I mean just that.   We were left in awe at the talent that showed up for tryout.   We did something we never have done before in the history of an OHP production.   We started eliminating people from that main role right there and then.   That was the most difficult thing of the night, because those decisions were very hard.   We did see some absolutely wonderful things, and certainly, the great majority of them will be used on stage in some capability, but we can't have 15 Dorthys!

We're down to five possible candidates right now, but we've stopped talking and thinking about them for right now as we have a Monday tryout coming up.  Memories of the OHP production of Annie come to mind.  The second night of tryouts we had the perfect Annie show up.  Certainly, we have five people who could do this show right now.  Decisions are never easy, and the talent in this area is only making it more difficult.

I haven't spoken much about the adults.  They were very patient with us as we sifted through munckins and Dorothys.  The talent displayed there was as much as we expected and hoped for.   We have many people who could not make last night's tryout but have let us know they will be there Monday.   I'm sure those decisions will be just as difficult.

Every part of this show is important.  It is true what they say, "There are no small parts..."  Finding that perfect combination of four characters for Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Lion is still the most difficult part.  If last night is any indication, and I assure you it is, this fall's show will be nothing short of phenomenal.

You do need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read / print these, but most systems have it already installed. 

For School age students, click here for the tryout sheet.

For Adults, please click here for the tryout sheet.

For general information about these productions and requirements, please click here.

The Opera House Players announce tryouts for "The Wizard of Oz" coming to the Elkader Opera House stage this October 1, 2, 7, 8 , 9, 2004.

Tryouts are scheduled for Wednesday May 19 and Monday May 24, 2004; both at 7pm in the Elkader Opera House. The show will be directed by Craig Strutt, produced by Kay Moser, with technical direction by Tom Chandler.

The tryouts are open to all who are interested. The cast is expected to number close to fifty. The group is already in planning to make this a very special event for those involved as well as for area theater goers.  This show will also require lots of assistance from a capable back stage crew. 

Although most people are unaware, there are two distinct versions of "The Wizard of Oz" available for theater production. The most common version done, the St. Louis MUNY version, is often done by high schools. While it has most of the same songs, and a similar story line, it is definitely an adaptation and simplification of the original movie. It was written and produced in the early 1940's, soon after the movie was released. By the time the Royal Shakespeare Company version was put together in the 1980's, the film had become a revered classic. Every attempt was made to follow the movie as closely as possible. Two songs originally in the movie that were not included in the MUNY version were added here. The songs and the staging became more complex since live theater was capable of more technical staging than in the 1940's. The Opera House Players have chosen to perform the RSC version of this wonderful classic.

The search is now on for Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Great and Powerful Oz, and all the other wonderful characters this show requires. We want to make this the best production of OZ that you have ever seen. If you know of the perfect Dorothy, or have seen Toto running around your neighborhood, be sure to pass the word! This is the perfect opportunity to gather your little munchkin, and become part of community theater.

We picked two separate nights in two separate weeks to give people the best chance of making at least one of the tryouts.   While we don't require people to be at both, we always encourage those who wish to help us out to make both as it makes the process much smoother for the second night, and refreshes our minds so we can make better decisions.

Tryouts are scheduled for 7pm on Wednesday May 19th and Monday May 24th.  Both nights at the Elkader Opera House.   As usual, we ask you come to the parking lot side door for tryouts and rehearsals.  

We will have music and dialogue there for tryouts.   These songs are familiar to almost everyone, as is the dialogue.   Bring your schedules as well as you know them for August 1st through October 10, 2004.  It is even possible that we will start some read through rehearsals the end of July for main characters.   Lots of work will take place over the summer as far as technical items, costuming, and other set construction and props.   This show is going to need LOTS of help.

Current estimates are for a cast approaching 50 people.  The back stage work could easily require a crew of 8-12 people as well.  This will be a show to remember, and a thrill to be part of. 

If you know the perfect Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man etc...,  let them know this is the show for them.

The Opera House Players are off to see the wizard.  Come along for the trip!

I'll be continuing to update you here as we make decisions.  I'll also email those who asked to be put on our email list.  We'll also make sure to do a press release for the area papers.  Stay tuned!

Because of that, we are planning early tryouts for this wonderful show.  The hope is that they will be scheduled mid to late May.  Please stay tuned, watch your papers, this web site, or be sure to email us with your email address and express your interest.  We'll be making announcements of tryout dates and times as soon as we have them set.