High school goes 'Over the Rainbow'

PERKINS TWP. — Follow the yellow brick road to Perkins High School. Perkins' drama club invites the community to see its rendition of a classic story, "The Wizard of Oz." The students are set to perform their play production at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available for $10 each and can be purchased online with electronic payment or at the school with cash payment. The musical choice is coming to Perkins High School after the "Wicked" movie's popularity, according to director Noah Henderson. He said the show brings something modern to the students along with a revived classic. "This show is just so much fun," Henderson said. "There's so much color, there's so much character, there's so much movement going on, strong dances, strong vocals, strong instrumentation. It's just an all-around great show with great students." This lighthearted, goofy musical, as it was described by the members of the leading cast, follows the story of Dorothy, played by Kendell Hvizdos. After getting caught in a tornado, she is transferred to the world of Oz. In her journey trying to get home, she makes friends along the way, including Scarecrow, played by Karma Hairston, Tin Man, played by Zoe Tomasula, and Lion, played by Jaden Lyons. "I heard we were doing 'The Wizard of Oz,' and I kind of knew I was going to be the lion," Lyons said. "My name is Lyons. When I was a kid, I dressed up as a lion for Halloween. Everything was building to this role." Along with high school students playing lead characters, the play will also include the younger district students playing munchkins and poppies. Each of the leading cast members had a special moment they look forward to sharing with the audience: • Hairston is excited for the line dance. She will be joined on stage by her crow co-stars. • Tomasula is looking forward to the special effects. • Hvizdos wants the audience to watch for the poppy field scene when the characters fall asleep and Glinda's bubble stage effect comes into play. • Lyons is excited about his two songs. The emotion behind this play is especially great for the senior leads, Lyons and Hvizdos. Lyons described it as a bittersweet feeling. "I know that I'm going into music, so I'm going to still get to keep performing and stuff, but I know that's never going to be the same as being in high school and getting to perform," Lyons said. Hvizdos relates to her character's journey of trying to find home. "The show is all about getting home and stuff so saying goodbye to all your friends," Hvizdos said.