'Wizard of Oz' a thrilling extravaganza
August 3, 2012
(L-R) Isaac Ryckeghem as the Cowardly Lion, Samantha Barradale as Dorothy Gale, Kendra Urbaniak as the Scarecrow and Sean Varelman as the Tinman.
By Mike Weland

The Bonners Ferry Summer Theatre performances of "The Wizard of Oz" surpassed the expectations of nearly everyone except for the cast and crew, who put on an extravaganza Thursday and Friday unlike anything ever staged in the Becker Auditorium. The only thing wrong is that, while the crowds were good, there were too many seats unfilled.

There's one last chance to remedy that, as there's one more performance at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Aunt Em and Henry Gale
While they couldn't capture everything in the L. Frank Baum movie classic ... no Miss Almira Gultch riding her bicycle amid the aerial debris of a Kansas tornado, for instance ... the talent of the cast was enhanced by some brand new special effects that awed the audience. You could almost feel the thunder and lightning and wind and hail of the storm; when the pyrotechnics came into play the entire audience gasped.

But it was the talented cast that made the show a must-see. Samantha Barradale was perfect as Dorothy, and Molly, playing Toto, almost stole the show in her big scene early on.

Most of the roles were dual ones; Brook Wilson played the role of the care worn Emily Gale, better known to audiences as Aunt Em, then took the stage moments later vibrant and regal as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

Some members of the cast even took on three roles.

Miss Almira Gultch and the long-suffering Henry Gale 
Linden Roop shone as Henry Gale and came on to play one of the Emerald City guards. Three lunkheads, Zeke, Hickory and Hunk, played by Isaac Ryckeghem, Sean Varelman and Kendra Urbaniak, respectively, reappeared in completely new guises as the Cowardly Lion, the Tinman and the Scarecrow, and unless you read the program or knew the cast, you'd not imagine they were the same people.

While not quite so much a stretch, Brooklyn Wilson plays a most convincing old snit, Miss Almira Gultch, who attempts to take poor Toto to the sheriff, then comes back as a ghastly Wicked Witch of the West, playing the role so well even the audience feared her!

The amazing Professor Chester Marvel, played by Michael Brooks, returned as the great one himself, the Wizard of Oz.

The large cast of Munchkins were delightful; Asha Abubakari, Sulay Abubacary, Holly Alexander, Jill Alexander, Allison Baird, Teigan Banning, Marissa Beggerly, Lily Blackmore, Mia Blackmore, Hailey Brooks, Reianna Brooks, Cheyenne Cada, Mariah Cooper, Jamie Cromwell, Taylor Cromwell, James Flory, Meggie Kahanek, Adrianna Mangus, Shayla Poppino, Luke Smith, Savannah Smith, Emma Watts, Leah Webster, Mary-Elizabeth Wilson, Michaela Worley and Michael Youngwirth; most of whom returned to the stage as the denizens of Oz.

Things took a terrible turn when Dorothy landed somewhere over the rainbow, right atop the Wicked Witch of the East.
The murder of crows, played by Jill Alexander, Emily Blackmore, Jaymi McGinn. Jessica Watts and Haley Wenk, were cackling and comic, and the enchanted trees, played by Lily Blackmore, Dusty Bressie, Maggie McCoy, Ellie Rodgers, McKaela Spradlin and Jesse Trocke, had their moments of tormenting fun as well.

The poppies and snowflakes were played by Jill Alexander, Emily Blackmore, Maggie McCoy, Jaymi McGinn, Ellie Rodgers, McKaela Spradlin, Jessica Watts and Haley Wenk; Meggie Kahanek and Maggie McCoy came back as Emerald City guards; Reianna Brooks, Jamie Cromwell, Michael Cromwell, Jessica Watts, Haley Wenk and Michael Youngwirth returned as Winkies and Teigan Banning, Marissa Beggerly, Mia Blackmore, Taylor Cromwell, James Flory, Meggie Kahanek and Mary-Elizabeth Wilson were fearsome as the flying monkeys.

Helping from behind the scenes to bring it alive were the stage crew; Dawn Carpenter, Caitlin Alexander, David Wilson, Matthew Wilson, Alayna Youngwirth and Amanda Pluid.

Drothy Gale, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West
While the talent on stage was obvious, what most didn't see was all the hard work and commitment that went on for weeks; these kids were at rehearsal five days a week for hours each day working hard. Learning lines, choreography and songs, stage sets, effects and so much more. Kudos also go out to most of the parents as well; not only did they take the kids to and from rehearsal, many staying to help out, a number of them helped build and paint the elaborate sets and more.

No matter who you talk to, be it parents, cast or crew, all agree that artistic director David Carpenter, backed by director and choreographer Charena Branscum and music director Sara Owinyo, each pushed hard and demanded everyone's best, but did so in a way that was appreciated.

It all showed when they took the stage for the live performances, which brought the full range of emotion, from fright to exuberance, the production is meant to elicit.

If every seat isn't filled for the final performance Saturday night, it's not the cast and crew who'll be remiss, but the folks who fail to fill the seats. You'll certainly be hearing about it from those who did attend, and wonder why you didn't attend.

This production is truly that good.

Tickets for the final performance, taking place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Becker Auditorium at the Bonners Ferry High School, are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors, available at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. Get there early ... the seats are likely to fill up fast!
The cute-as-button Munchkins welcome Dorothy, glad that at least one Wicked Witch is Dead.
But the Wicked Witch of the West promises, with a truly chilling and evil laugh, to get vengeance.
But Glinda has other ideas, giving Dorothy a magical pair of ruby slippers, to the Wicked Witch's chagrin, and sending her on her way  down the yellow brick road and to the land of Oz.
  Dorothy and Toto say their goodbyes to their Munchkin friends and set off ... 
Where they meet a Scarecrow needing brains ... 
... And a Tinman in a forest of enchanted trees who needs a little oil ... and a heart.
The Wicked Witch of the West tries to scare them out of seeking the Wizard of Oz, but undaunted, they continue on ...
... and meet up with the final member of their band, a cowardly lion, who just wishes for some "noive."

Want to hear the rest? You'll have to attend the final performance of "The Wizard of Oz," presented by the Bonners Ferry Summer Youth Theatre!