Saws are singing and paint brushes are slapping amid the rattle of tap shoes on the stage of the Performing Arts Center at BHS as rehearsals continue for the onrushing opening night of “The Wizard of Oz”, the fall musical being staged next month.

 

Tuesday afternoon, director Joe Rand was putting his charges through their paces on the musical number “If I Only Had a Brain”, featuring the Scarecrow (Charlie Robeck), Dorothy (Megan Graftaas), and dancing crows Noelle Swanson, Bridget Bucholz, Mikayla Hiltner and Cassie Lenneman, while designer Rich Kimmerle was overseeing construction of props and set pieces and the application of gallons of emerald green paint being used to create the famous city of the same name.

 

A number of the characters require the ability to fly in this show, and the aerial experts from Foy International will be on hand this weekend to begin training Dorothy, at least one flying monkey, two witches and one wizard on the finer points of airborne acting, Rand said.

 

The production will also feature two canine actors, Dyna and Bentley, who will share the demanding role of “Toto” during the four-performance run.

 

The BHS Drama Booster Club will be hosting “Toto’s OZ-some Party” Sat., Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at the high school.  Boys and girls age four and up (with an adult along) are invited to “follow the Yellow Brick Road” to the “Emerald City” on a backstage tour of the set of the musical.  There will also be games galore, prizes, actors, and treats for kids of all ages.  Ticket prices are $15 per child. Pre-registration details are available on the Community Ed. Google® website, for more information; contact BHS Community Education at (763) 261-4506.

 

Opening night for “The Wizard of Oz” is Fri., Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., with performances continuing with a 2 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. evening show Sat., Dec. 12 and a 2 p.m. closing matinee Sun., Dec. 13.  All performances are in the PAC at BHS, and tickets are on sale on-line now, priced at $10 for adults and $8 for students, senior citizens and military I.D. holders. Visit the site at https://app.arts-people.com//index.php?show=59514  to reserve seats.  Any remaining tickets will go on sale in the PAC lobby one half-hour before show time.