Bluffton High School will present “The Wizard of Oz,” as its spring musical in three shows April 12-13-14.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 14, in the middle school cafetorium.

Reserved seat tickets are $10 and general admission is $5. Tickets are on sale in the middle school office during school hours.

The cast includes: 
Hannah Yost as Dorothy
Patrick Estell as the Scarecrow
Mason Ault as the Tinman
Caleb Mikesell as the Lion
Raina Runk as the Wicked Witch of the West
Ana Neufeld Weaver as Glinda the Good Witch
Tanner Pinks as The Wizard
Seth Andreas as the Mayor of Munchkin City
Nephi Peralta as Lord Growlie
Olivia Burner as Gloria
Derek Swartzlander as Tibia
and a myriad of Munchkins 

The Wizard of Oz is directed and produced by Kara Zink and Kevin Gratz. Technical director is Jason Yost and pit orchestra director is David Sycks. The Wizard of Oz is performed under contract with Tams-Witmark production Co.

Here is a summary and background of the musical:
Influenced by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, and Lewis Carroll, children’s author L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) published his most famous work, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, in 1900.

The novel’s description of Kansas is thought to be based on the landscape of Aberdeen, South Dakota, where Baum moved with his wife in 1888. A classic in children’s literature, the story has been translated into more than 40 languages and prompted Baum to write several Oz sequels.

The story was first adapted for the stage in 1902 as a musical entitled The Wizard of Oz. The 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland has become a movie classic

This MUNY version is the more theatrically conservative, and employs its stage, actors, singers, dancers, and musicians in traditional ways.

Using L. Frank Baum’s book – and not the MGM film – as its inspiration, this version employs story and songs as elements of a classic stage musical.

 This version does not include Toto, but instead adds new characters, including: Farmhand Joe, Gloria of Oz, Lord Growlie, Tibia (the witch’s skeletal assistant), two comical neighboring witches, and the Royal Army of Oz.