The Wizard of Oz and a night with my friend!!

Some of the cast from the Wizard of Oz......



Mary Stuart Rogers Theatre......


Well I had a wonderful Saturday night. On Friday my friend Lisa called to see if I could go with her to see the Wizard of Oz on Saturday night. I was so happy to hear from her because we don't get to visit as much as we would like. We are both so busy with our families and she teaches school as well. I told her that I would be so happy to go with her. I was looking forward to it all day on Saturday. Lisa came to pick me up at 6:30 and off we went. I had never been to the Gallo Center for the Arts. It just opened up last year and is bringing many wonderful artists and shows to this area. When we walked up I was thinking how nice it was. Once we got inside it was so nice. I could see right away why so many people have been raving about it. It is beautiful. The show started at 7:30. We sat waiting for the show to begin and I could see the area right below and in front of the stage where the orchestra was and we heard them start to warm up. The show started and let me tell you, it was wonderful! The cast was so good. I sat there amazed that the cast was made up of children and high school students. The effects were great. They actually had some of the cast hooked up to wires and they would fly all over the stage. The tornado scene was great! There Dorthy was being blown all of the place and the mean lady was being blown all over the place on her bike! The next thing we saw the witch being blown all about and then the scenery changed to Munchkinland and the house was on top of the witch!

I mentioned before that I was impressed with the cast and the ages of the cast. They are all a part of Yes Company. It is run by Melanie Wyatt. It was her vision many years ago that a company comprised of children could acheiiive these wonderful things. She has done such an incredible job. If you didn't know that you were watching a young theatre group perform you would actually believe you were watching a seasoned group of professional actors that could perform on Broadway. They were that good. It has sparked me to want to see more of their productions. They have a couple that will be coming up that are put on by the younger kids. I definitely will be looking into those to take Holly to see.

I had such a great time with my friend. I was so happy that she invited me and that we were able to enjoy this wonderful play together. I look forward to the next time.