Monessen’s GPA to bring ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to life
Monessen School District’s Group for the Performing Arts will head down the yellow brick road for their spring musical.
The Yellow Brick Road is leading straight to Monessen this spring as dozens of students prepare to click their heels and bring the magical world of Oz to life on stage.
Students from second through 12th grade will present “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” this weekend, bringing the beloved story of Dorothy and her journey through the Land of Oz to local audiences.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday at the high school, 1245 State Rd., Monessen. Tickets purchases are recommended online through the school at https://cur8. com/17225/project/136309, as there will be a limited number of cash-only seats available on show days.
Before the public performances begin, the cast will present a special sensory- friendly performance designed to make the experience comfortable and welcoming for individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities. Last year’s sensory performance drew more than 300 attendees, with teachers from surrounding school districts bringing students to the show.
Directed by Stephanie Guglielmi and Christine Zboyovsky, this year’s production introduces many students to a story generations of audiences grew up loving. The musical follows Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who dreams of something beyond her quiet life. When a powerful tornado sweeps her away to the magical Land of Oz, Dorothy sets out along the Yellow Brick Road to find the mysterious Wizard, hoping he can help her return home.
Along the way she befriends three unlikely companions — the Scarecrow, who longs for a brain; the Tin Man, who wishes for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who hopes to find courage. Together, the group faces obstacles, flying monkeys and the Wicked Witch of the West before discovering that the qualities they sought may have been within them all along.
For the directors, sharing the story with a new generation of performers has been especially rewarding.
“Obviously this show is a classic that many people our age and older grew up loving,” Guglielmi and Zboyovsky said. “When we began production on this show, well over half of our students had never watched it. We got to share one of our childhood favorites with today’s generation.”
About 80 students auditioned for the musical in November before the final cast list was announced Nov.
24.
This year’s production involves 71 students in total, including 55 cast members and 16 stage crew members helping bring the show to life behind the scenes.
One of the most unique aspects of the production is the wide age range involved.
Performers span grades two through 12, giving younger students an opportunity to perform alongside more experienced high school actors.
Zboyovsky said the program hopes to keep expanding opportunities for younger students.
“Because our third, fourth and fifth graders don’t currently have music class in school, this gives them a place to explore singing, acting and dancing,” she said. “By giving them that opportunity earlier, many decide they want to continue with it once they reach middle school.”
Leading the cast as Dorothy is freshman Noelle Spagnolo, who has been performing for most of her life.
Spagnolo said one of the most meaningful parts of the role is watching Dorothy grow throughout the story.
“In the beginning, she is just a girl who is very quiet,” Spagnolo said. “But once she gets to Oz, she gradually starts to gain confidence and see that she is not just a shy girl from Kansas anymore.”
She said performing the musical’s iconic song, “Over the Rainbow,” has been one of the biggest challenges.
“There is so much emotion that has to be poured into the song,” she said. “You’re singing, walking, holding a dog — there is just so much going on while trying to express that emotion.”
Despite the challenge, Spagnolo said being part of the production has been unforgettable.
“The chemistry that the whole cast has is something very invaluable,” she said. “Being on stage feels like home.”
Other students are stepping into some of the musical’s most recognizable roles.
Sophomore Paige Lindsay plays the Wicked Witch of the West, a character very different from roles she has performed in the past.
“My favorite part about my character is stepping out of my comfort zone and playing someone who is intense and dramatic,” Lindsay said.
The role also comes with a very specific challenge.
“The hardest part is nailing the iconic Wicked Witch cackle,” she said.
Junior Emmalyn Higgins appears as Glinda the Good Witch, a character she said feels close to her own personality.
“I really love that Glinda is so beautiful and everyone looks up to her,” Higgins said. “And I get to wear a big beautiful pink dress with a crown.”
Meanwhile, ninth grader Jamison Lucero portrays the Cowardly Lion, one of Dorothy’s loyal companions.
Lucero said the character is relatable.
“I see myself in this character a lot,” he said. “I don’t have to change much of my personality.”
He said one of the most exciting parts of the show is performing alongside his friends as part of the main group traveling through Oz.
When directors asked cast members about their favorite moment in the show, students across nearly every grade level shared the same answer.
The lively “Jitterbug” scene, filled with energetic singing and dancing, quickly became a cast favorite.
The production’s choreography is led by April McGavitt, with assistance from Ryann Mrlack, with Devin Kampserves as music director.
Behind the scenes, a team of students and staff members has been working to transform the stage into the colorful world of Oz.
Set designer and stage crew director Valarie Weible said the process involves both creativity and teamwork.
“Turning piles of wood and paint into a vision can be challenging,” she said. “But seeing it all come together makes the effort worthwhile.”
Students on the stage crew have been learning practical skills while helping construct the scenery.
“Teaching stage crew students to safely use tools to build the set is especially rewarding,” Weible said.
Costumes are another key part of the production.
Zboyovsky said designing the costumes — especially for the Munchkins — allowed the younger students to have fun with their characters.
“We were able to get creative, and our elementary students liked the idea of being a little silly,” she said.
The costume room now holds more than 100 costumes, including Dorothy’s iconic blue-and-white dress and sparkling red shoes.
“The students get so excited when they finally get to put their charac ter costume on,” Zboyovsky said. “They not only sound like their character, but they now look the part.”
The production began taking shape months ago.
An initial rehearsal and parent meeting was held in December, with full rehearsals starting in January.
Students now rehearse after school Monday through Thursday, along with longer Saturday rehearsals. Technical rehearsals begin the week of March 21 as opening night approaches.
For the directors, watching students grow both as performers and as teammates has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“Being part of the musical can provide that extra confidence many children need,” Zboyovsky said.
And when the curtain rises later this month, audiences will see the result of months of work from dozens of students both on stage and behind the scenes.
As Dorothy famously says in the story, “There’s no place like home.”
For the students bringing Oz to life in Monessen, the stage has become a home of its own.
Cast members
Leading the cast are: Noelle Spagnolo as Dorothy, Breslin Trubiani as the Scarecrow, Davincci Weible as the Tin Man, Jami Lucero as the Cowardly Lion, Paige Lindsay as the Wicked Witch of the West, Emmalyn Higgins as Glinda, and Angelo Roberts as the Wizard of Oz. Other featured roles include Tayvin Craggette as Hunk and an Oz Guard, Jakob Dell as Uncle Henry, Kennedy Lindsay as Aunt Em, Garan Fennell as Zeke, Oliver Elliot as Hickory, Quinn Coles as the Barrister, Aniyah Howard as the Mayor of Munchkinland, Zerah Silva as the Coroner, and Londyn Johnson as Toto.
Ensemble members are: Kaylee Guerrieri, Jadynn Anderson, Callie Holguin, Danielle Brewer, Carter Bransom, Tamia Veillard, Gionna Owens, Ariana Tillman, Catalina Schmidt, Jillian Schmidt, Brennan Aldrich, Delanie Detwiller, Jasmine Dunmire, A’Saiyah Corbett, Gionna Moon, Elaina Stanisz, Amira Hall, Mia Palmer, Mckenzie Galilei, Athena Nestor, Gemma Fiorino, Mila Fennell, Donald Detwiller, Zaylee Lawson, Annalise Spagnolo, Ayveri Babick, Zaleigha Schaeffer, Jaisan Johnson, Talvin Holmes, Ashlyn Silva, Ophelia Elliot, Tre’ysen Anderson Irwin, Laina Johnson, Evan Bassett, Eric Bassett, Lyla Stanisz, Caroline Guerrieri and Chavelle Dunmire.
Student stage management is led by Jaidyn Rankin, with Bry’Aunna Cook serving as assistant stage manager.
Stage crew members are: Faith Jackson, Torrence Taylor, Tayvian Taylor, Bethany Yoder, Hailea McDonald, Devyn Smith, Gabriella Sahan, Kairah Nyiri, Alivia Premoshis, Zimora Akinola, Kenneth Silva, Frank Galilei, Roodson Destyl, Eden Holguin and Atalia LaRose, with Torrence Taylor and Tayvian Taylor also appearing on stage as Winkie Guards.
