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MFL MarMac Middle School play is ‘The Wizard of Oz’

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The MFL MarMac Middle School Drama Department will take on “The Wizard of Oz” for its 2023 spring play. The cast includes Jadlynn Cross (left), Kylie Moses, Mackenzie O’Connell, Arika Moreland, Veda Torkelson, Emma Niedziejko, Taryn Moser, Julia Grau, Nora Griffith, Macy McGeough and Rachael Keehner. Charlotte Koether is not pictured. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Taryn Moser (left) will portray Dorothy, while Julia Grau will take on the role of Scarecrow. “The Wizard of Oz” is based off the novel and follows the traditional story line, minus music.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

The MFL MarMac Middle School Drama Department will take on “The Wizard of Oz” for its 2023 spring play. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, in the high school auditorium in Monona.

 

“It’s one of my favorites,” said director Josie Roulson. “It’s fun, nostalgic.”

 

The play is based off the L. Frank Baum novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” and showcases Dorothy and her dog Toto as they are swept by a tornado from Kansas to Oz. They meet Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion as they follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard.

 

“It’s very traditional, just minus the music,” Roulson explained.

 

The cast began rehearsing in mid- to late-January. School events and weather delays have made getting together difficult, but Roulson feels the production is starting to come together.

 

This year’s cast is all-female, but the director stressed that hasn’t made a difference.

 

“They love to jump in,” Roulson stated. “They’ll play anything.”

 

Taryn Moser will portray Dorothy. Although a veteran of Elkader Opera House productions, including the lead role in “Matilda,” this marks Moser’s largest part in an MFL MarMac play.

 

“I get to meet a lot of people in Elkader, but it’s fun to work with people I know and am used to. I like getting this new school experience,” she said.

 

Julia Grau will portray Scarecrow, Mackenzie O’Connell the Lion and Charlotte Koether the Tin Man.

 

“Then we have eight other girls who are filling in everywhere. You’ll see them as the Munchkins and the Monkeys,” Roulson said. “Everyone has gotten to do a lot of different things.”

 

Roulson admitted some of the students hadn’t seen “The Wizard of Oz” movie, and weren’t overly familiar with the story line heading into the play. They’ve been learning quickly, though.

 

“I knew some of the music, but hadn’t seen the show. We watched the movie as a cast, so that was helpful,” Moser noted.

 

Roulson said audiences will appreciate the play’s big scenes. 

 

“There’s a lot going on—on and off stage,” she quipped.

 

“The Wizard of Oz” will simply be a fun experience. 

 

“It’s middle school. They’re excited. They really make it their own,” Roulson said. “And they’re younger, so they’re not afraid to be goofy and fun and enjoy themselves up there. It’s fun to see.”

Tickets to “The Wizard of Oz” will be available at the door.

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