It’s been nearly two years in the making, but Valley Central High School Performing Arts students are gearing up for the school’s spring musical, The Wizard of Oz. The performance was adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespearean Company and the cast is comprised of 40 talented students from eighth grade up through senior year.

“The show fit the cast. It’s a big production and it really called to us. I felt that this cast could easily do the show. I think to portray well known characters, but put your own spin on it and your own vision for the performance is really exciting for everyone involved,” said Teacher/Director Derek DeVoe.

Following a two-year hiatus due to Covid, students are eager to be back on stage. “Being able to perform for friends and family after all of this time is one of the most refreshing feelings in the world. I’ve missed it so much,” said Senior Magdalena Bautista.

“This show is really special because we haven’t done a show in two years. Most of the students involved in this performance haven’t ever performed at the high school at all so I’m excited for them. When Covid hit we had performances canceled so this is new to a lot of the students and they didn’t get to see that final piece of the puzzle,” DeVoe explained.

For many of the students, the Covid shutdown was heartbreaking at such a critical time in their academic careers and the return to school and theater, especially to take part in an iconic performance like the Wizard of Oz, is an opportunity that they are grateful to have this year.

“Musical theatre is what I love to do, it’s what I hope to pursue as a major in college. Performing in the high school musicals has been a dream of mine since I was in elementary school seeing the high school productions on their elementary tours. I was a part of the cast of the 2020 production, “The Music Man,” which, unfortunately, was never performed, so this will be my first musical production on the Valley Central High School stage and I couldn’t be more excited. I think having our show be “The Wizard of Oz” was the icing on top of the cake. It was one of the first movie musicals I had ever seen and was a huge part of my blossoming love for musical theatre at a young age,” said Junior Alix O’Connor who plays the Wicked Witch of the West.

Earlier in the school year, Covid protocols brought challenges when rehearsing with a large group of students, but technology helped fill the gap when it came to rehearsals and quarantining for students. “It was hard in the beginning when we had students quarantining and trying to still participate, but we were able to do most of it virtually using Google Classroom. We recorded choreography for students who were absent and they were able to watch that way. Because of Covid we ended up splitting the groups up so we had less interaction with one another so the virtual option was really an asset,” shared DeVoe.

Senior Sam Prezioso will be staring in the role of beloved Tin Man and said technology made all the difference when it came to rehearsing. “Being able to watch the choreography videos has been so extremely helpful outside of rehearsals. When I didn’t have the choreographers around to ask about a move, I was able to rewind and repeat the videos until I was comfortable. Communication was also very clear this year between emails and Google Classroom. It eliminated unnecessary stress and provided quick answers to questions when needed,” explained Prezioso.

Technology is also assisting with the performance’s program this year. Audience members will receive a QR code they will be able to scan to get a digital program with cast biographies and information about show supporters and advertisers. “It’s a little different this year. It helped us save on printing costs compared to a hard copy playbill,” DeVoe explained.

Student-actors shared that after two years off-stage gearing up for the performance had its challenges, but through hard work and discipline they were able to create a performance they can be proud of when the curtains go up.

“While preparing for this show, I learned that I am capable of more than I initially thought I was. Looking at the script originally, I feared that it was going to be hard to memorize all of my lines. Over time, I found that my lines came to me easier than I thought they would. I also found that even with a busy schedule, I was still able to balance school, rehearsal, family, and work at the same time, which is something I can be proud of,” said Senior Julia Wilson, who will be taking the stage in the lead role of Dorothy Gale.

DeVoe is eager to share the performance with others and thanked area businesses and supporters of the performance saying without them the show wouldn’t be possible. “We thank the community businesses and donors who support our show. We couldn’t have done it without their support. I can’t wait for the show to come to life. I hope everyone enjoys it,” he said of the family-friendly vibrant performance.

When asked what he hopes the audience takes away from this performance after a two-year hiatus, Junior Jared Lewis-Holliday who will be playing Scarecrow shared, “I hope they know how much we care about this musical. I want them to understand the hard work, dedication and emotion that we have put into this production. I want them to know how much I care about my performance and this opportunity I have been given.”

Performances will be held on Friday, April 1 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 2 at 3 p.m., and Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m. at The John F. Kennedy Theater, Valley Central High School, 1189 Route 17K in Montgomery. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased by visiting https://vchsmusical.booktix.com.