No place like California Area for spring musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’

By TAYLOR BROWN
Senior Reporter
tbrown@yourmvi.com
The yellow brick road will lead to California Area High School this weekend as students bring “The Wizard of Oz” to life on stage.
Showtimes are set for 7 p.m. tonight, Friday and a 2 p.m. matinee show Saturday at California Area High School. Tickets range in price from $12 to $15 and can be purchased online at caltrojans.booktix.net.
Under the direction of Rob Berletich and student director Ally Grodz, 77 students spanning grades four through 12 will tell the story of Dorothy (Eva Taracido) her three friends, Scarecrow (Benjamin Dean), the Lion (Hunter Antonucci) and the Tin Man (Tyler Sutherland) as they tunefully trot down the fabled road of yellow brick in “The Wizard of Oz.”
Berletich said he always chooses shows based on cast members he knows will be returning to the stage.
“I want them to be successful,” he said. “(Choosing) a story they can fit into well and that suits them. I also try to do titles that people and their families would be familiar with. This year, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ fit both of those criteria.”
Based on the classic film, the show will leave audiences sure there is truly no place like home and that friendship is just as magical as the slippers on Dorothy’s feet.

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