Charleroi Area students are off to see the wizard for spring musical

Charleroi Area School District students will take their audiences somewhere over the rainbow to the enchanted land of Oz as they stage the perennial classic musical “The Wizard of Oz” this weekend.

Haily Simms, Kayleigh French, Camryn French and Janie Dzurinko are shown rehearsing “The Wizard of Oz.” Jenn Codeluppi / MVI

With a quick click of the heels, Charleroi Area High School transforms into Oz with the return of a familiar favorite this spring.

From the moment Dorothy’s house lands, audiences are swept into the colorful, constantly moving world of “The Wizard of Oz,” as Charleroi Area High School brings the classic story to life with one of its largest and most immersive productions in recent years.

The spring musical will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m.

Munchkins Frankie Hatalowich, Charlie Carson and Bella Koerner are shown rehearsing for “The Wizard of Oz.” Jenn Codeluppi / MVI

Sunday in the Charleroi Area High School auditorium. Tickets are $15 and available online, with additional cash or check sales offered in the auditorium lobby beginning two hours before each performance.

Directed by Melissa Vitali, the production was chosen with both students and audiences in mind. After last year’s darker, vocally demanding Hadestown: Teen Edition, the program was looking for a show that welcomed families while giving a wide range of

Eva Matinko as the Wicked Witch and Shennen Dzurinko as Glinda are shown rehearsing for “The Wizard of Oz.” Jenn Codeluppi / MVI

students the chance to shine.

“We were looking for a family- friendly show that gave us a lot of options for the students,” Vitali said. “The Wizard of Ozis a great show with so many roles, and it allowed us to once again include elementary students in the ensemble.”

That inclusive approach is immediately evident onstage. Nearly 85 students are involved between cast and crew, with approximately 75 auditioning in November. Ensemble scenes are packed with movement, color, and sound, particularly during the bustling Munchkinland sequence, where performers fill not only the stage but the aisles as well.

Leading the journey is senior Janie Dzurinko, who takes on the iconic role of Dorothy. While Dzurinko has performed in numerous productions over the years, this role marks her first time carrying a show largely on her own.

Janie Dzurinko, Camdyn Carson and Charlee Headley are shown rehearsing for “The Wizard of Oz.” Jenn Codeluppi / MVI

“This is my first time really being on my own for a performance,” Dzurinko said. “With Dorothy, I get to form her personality while still honoring a story that everyone knows and loves.”

That balance — staying true to the original while making the characters feel genuine — has been a recurring challenge for the cast. With a show as recognizable as The Wizard of Oz, expectations are high, and students say precision matters just as much as personality.

Senior Hailey Simms, who plays Hunk and the Scarecrow, said that pressure has shaped her performance more than any previous role.

“This has been the most challenging role I’ve done because of the pressure to get it as close to the original as possible,” Simms said. “In past years, I had more artistic freedom. This year, it really feels like it’s straight from the book.”

Simms’ Scarecrow relies heavily on physical comedy, constant motion, and carefully practiced stunts that make the character appear loose and unpredictable, even as the performance requires control and restraint. Vocally, she said, the role has also been demanding, particularly when blending with the ensemble.

While some students are navigating the challenge of precision, others are experiencing a different kind of transformation. Junior Kayleigh French, who plays the Tin Man, previously spent much of her time behind the scenes as a member of the stage crew before stepping into an onstage role.

“Switching from stage crew to being an onstage performer has really pushed me to become my best self,” French said. “It gave me the opportunity to find my passion.”

French said she connects strongly with the Tin Man’s compassion and determination, even as the role challenges her vocally with lower- range songs. Like several cast members, she pointed to one ensemble moment that has quickly become a favorite.

“The Jitterbug scene is definitely the most entertaining,” she said. “Everything about it just comes together.”

That scene, reimagined with a new choreographic approach by assistant director and choreographer Jennifer DiPietrantonio, has generated excitement across the cast. Vitali said audiences should expect surprises throughout the production, particularly in how the space is used.

“We have a huge auditorium, and we’re using that space to our advantage,” Vitali said. “You never know where the kids will pop up next.”

Another dramatic shift comes from junior Camryn French, who plays Zeke and the Cowardly Lion. After portraying the stern and imposing Hades in last year’s production, the move to a nervous, overthe top Lion has been a complete change of pace.

“Going from playing Hades to playing a goofy lion is a very big difference,” French said. “I get to act a fool and be as overdramatic as I want, and it just works.”

French said he’s especially excited to perform iconic numbers such as “We’re Off to See the Wizard” and “If I Were King of the Forest,” which lean fully into the character’s humor and energy.

Behind the scenes, the scale of the production matches what audiences see onstage. Rehearsals began in early January, with leads attending daily practices and ensemble members rotating based on scene schedules. Meanwhile, student crew members, guided by technical director Ben McDonald, began building the set before the new year, working Fridays and Saturdays to construct and paint the show’s many moving pieces.

The set includes multiple locations — from the Kansas farmhouse to the Witch’s castle and the Wizard’s chamber — along with projections and rented drops to establish mood and setting. Managing constant motion and limited storage space backstage, Vitali said, has been one of the production’s biggest challenges.

Costumes also play a key role, particularly for characters whose looks are instantly recognizable. From Dorothy’s blue gingham dress to Glinda’s pink gown, the production leans into familiar visuals while ensuring everything functions for dance-heavy scenes. Vitali credited parents and the Theatre Boosters for helping make those details possible.

In addition to bringing Oz to life, the production also supports the community. Theatre Boosters will host concessions, auction baskets, souvenirs, and candy grams in the auditorium lobby, with proceeds benefiting future performances. Donations will also be collected for the Harvest Bounty program.

While The Wizard of Oz marks a tonal shift from last year’s production, it still carries meaningful challenges for students, from demanding vocals to precise character work. More importantly, it offers moments of joy, collaboration, and connection — both onstage and in the audience.

The heels may click, the curtain may fall, and Oz may fade, but audiences will leave Charleroi knowing they’ve traveled somewhere special — and that they’re not quite in Kansas anymore.

This year’s cast members are: Janie Dzurinko (Dorothy), Hailey Simms (Hunk/ Scarecrow), Kayleigh French (Hickory/Tin Man), Camryn French (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), Camdyn Carson (Aunt Em and Emerald City Guard), Charlee Headley (Uncle Henry), Shennen Dzurinko (Glinda), Lilly Withers (Miss Gulch), Eva Matinko (Wicked Witch of the West), Anthony Matinko (Professor Marvel/ Wizard of Oz), Kelsea Gray (Mayor of Munchkinland), and Violet Chilzer (Coroner).

Student leadership roles are filled by Simms and Camryn French (student directors), Kayleigh French (student vocal director), and dance captains Eva Matinko and Emily Hadsell. Other roles and understudies will be assigned during rehearsals to members of the high school and middle school ensemble.

High school/middle school ensemble casr members: Ayla Addis, Bethany Bender, Aiden Bertin, Addison Black, Regan Brown, Riley Brown, Rain Cursi, Julie Davenport, Ezri Decker, Rya DiPietrantonio, Josslyn Ducoli, Louanne Ducoli, Sophia Gemas, Alivia Gialames, Callie Gray, Vanessa Gray, Chloe Grogan, Hadsell, Kaylee Hancock, Ailyn Hazy, Hayden Helinski, Kylie Holman, Brooklyn Holmes, Olivia Kostelac, Meredith Korir, Sophia Linkhauer, Nikolette Morris, Alyxzandria Neff, Samira Odusola, Delaney Pauley, Ryleigh Raymond, Izabella Reddick, Emma Rivera, Rose Robinson, Calie Rotolo, Evelyn Scavincky, Kolton Snyder, Naomi Snyder, Ariel Strack, Noelle Trunzo, Sydney Weaver, Nicholas Wiley, and Nora Woncheck.

Elementary Munchkin ensemble: Charlotte Addis, Xavier Arnold, Gracie Broersma, Lydia Camut, Charlieze Carson, Ryen Christie, Anthony Cicci, Matthis Dent, Gianna Grogan, Frankie Hatalowich, Aubrie Hazy, Vivienne Johnson, Isabella Koerner, Zane Lynch, Reese McElhone, Meadow McMahon, Damien Smith, Piper Supernovich, Regan Supernovich, Carter Weaver, and LaTanya Windom.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online in advance. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door beginning two hours before each performance; door sales are cash or check only. For tickets go to https://cur8. com/40932/project/136635.