By Jeanni Ritchie
There’s something magical about watching young performers bring a beloved classic to life, and Bolton Academy’s production of The Wizard of Oz delivered plenty of that magic.
Anabelle Lundy was outstanding as Dorothy Gale, bringing audiences along on her journey from Kansas to the colorful Land of Oz.
Joshua Gray brought heart to the Tin Man, while Logan Lemoine delivered a delightfully charming performance as the Cowardly Lion. Together with Kennedy Stewart’s wonderfully animated Scarecrow, the trio brought humor, warmth and personality to Dorothy’s journey down the Yellow Brick Road.
Greta Tubbs returned to the Bolton stage as Toto, joining her human sisters Abigail and Caroline in the production.
Senior Sarah Arnold sweetly played Glinda the Good Witch, while senior Ava Tarver perfectly portrayed the Wicked Witch of the West. Reagan Sweat brought both Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz to life in the enchanted tale.
One of the production’s greatest strengths was its younger performers. The Munchkinland sequence, particularly “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead,” was absolutely adorable. But beyond the cuteness, these children demonstrated impressive choreography and vocal harmonies. The talent among Bolton’s youngest performers is certainly a promising sign for the future of its theatre program.
Of course, after seeing Wicked, it’s a little harder to celebrate the demise of Oz’s wicked witches with quite the same enthusiasm! Once you’ve gotten to know Elphaba and her sister, Nessarose, “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” evokes a newfound empathy for the characters.
Another musical highlight was “The Merry Old Land of Oz,” perhaps my favorite number of the production. The energy, choreography, and harmonies showcased what this large ensemble could accomplish together.
Director Jeremiah Mitchell faced the enormous task of bringing nearly 100 students together for this production. In his director’s note, Mitchell described the experience as “one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a director, but also one of the most rewarding.”
That dedication was evident throughout the performance. Coordinating a cast of this size requires far more than teaching lines and music. It takes patience, teamwork, and the ability to bring performers of different ages and experience levels together to create something special. Mitchell and his young cast accomplished just that.
And perhaps the most meaningful moment came with the show’s familiar reminder that there’s no place like home.
It’s a lesson I’ve learned firsthand. After moving away and eventually finding my way back home, those words now hold a deeper meaning than they once did.
There’s no place like home, indeed.
Bolton Academy Theatre— The Wizard of Oz Cast
Principal and Featured Roles
Dorothy Gale — Anabelle Lundy
Aunt Em — Daisy Wester
Uncle Henry — Elijah Elliott
Hunk/Scarecrow — Kennedy Stewart
Hickory/Tin Man — Joshua Gray
Zeke/Cowardly Lion — Logan Lemoine
Glinda the Good Witch — Sarah Arnold
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West — Ava Tarver
Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz — Reagan Sweat
Emerald City Guard — Maximus Flatt
Toto — Greta Tubbs
Jitterbug Leader — Gianna Hines
Nikko — Hunter Dekeyzer
Leader of the Winkies — Christopher Hunter
Tornado Dancers
Leader: Madi West
Adeline Gauthier, Adlee Nichols, Ansley Elder, Callie McCalmont, Ella Webb, Emma Hughes, Gianna Hines, Lyla Taylor, Kayla Mathews, Stella Michot
Munchkins
Mayor — Kellan Hebert
Coroner — Nora Smith
Barrister — Nora Dean
Braggart — Natalie Linzay
Fiddler — Shiloh Wilson
Lullaby League
Cotton Hunter, Elizabeth Hughes, Lizzie Cooper, Presley Kenimer
Lollipop Guild
Beckham Murphy, Brooks Murphy, Drew Unsicker, William Cooper
Munchkin Chorus
Allie Townsend, Avery Davis, Avery Lundy, Courtlyn Thomas, Estelle Jones, Gia George, Hannah-Beth Swift, Jomiloju Olamiju, Kendall Williams, Marceline Racine, Morgan Cherry, Oakley Hoover, Ollie Leboeuf, Pippi Wilson
Poppies
Allie Kitchen, Ambry Poole, Andrea Francisco, Audrie Lundy, Brylie Crosby, Elise Brunet, Elise Soileau, Emma Claire Cox, Felicity Barnes, Hadley Manasco, Harli Beeson, Kiranen Farris, Kylen Stanley, Maddison Pantallion, Maggie Iles, Mary Enger, Mayokun Olamiju, Mia Tarver, Morghan Polk, Sidney Flynn, Sophia Papale, Taylor Noel, Vivian Armand
Crows
Alana Ferguson, Caroline Perkins, Caroline Tubbs, Flynn Cahill, Hayden Ramo, Jackson Reado, Kate Hebron, Madison Bester
Tapping Apple Trees
Adeline Gauthier, Adlee Nichols, Ansley Elder, Callie McCalmont, Emma Hughes, Ella Webb, Gianna Hines, Kayla Mathews, Lyla Taylor, Madi West, Stella Michot
Jitterbugs
Leader: Gianna Hines
Adeline Gauthier, Adlee Nichols, Ansley Elder, Callie McCalmont, Ella Webb, Emma Hughes, Kayla Mathews, Lyla Taylor, Madi West, Neriah White, Stella Michot
Emerald City Chorus
Abigail Tubbs, Aiven Alonzo, Alana Ferguson, Allie Kitchen, Ambry Poole, Andrea Francisco, Audrie Lundy, Brylie Crosby, Callie McCalmont, Camden Unsicker, Caroline Perkins, Christopher Hunter, Daisy Wester, Elijah Elliott, Elise Brunet, Elise Soileau, Emma Claire Cox, Felicity Barnes, Hadley Manasco, Harli Beeson, Hayden Ramo, Kate Hebron, Kiranen Farris, Kylen Stanley, Maggie Iles, Marlon Darby, Mary Enger, Peyton Graves, Madison Bester, Maddison Pantallion, Mayokun Olamiju, Mia Tarver, Morghan Polk, Neriah White, Shelby King, Sidney Flynn, Sophia Jameson, Sophia Papale, Taylor Noel, Vivian Armand
Flying Monkeys
Nikko — Hunter Dekeyzer
Flynn Cahill, Jackson Reado, Sophia Jameson
Winkies
Leader: Christopher Hunter
Abigail Tubbs, Aiven Alonzo, Camden Unsicker, Caroline Tubbs, Madison Bester, Marlon Darby, Peyton Graves, Shelby King
Production Team and Crew
Director: Jeremiah Mitchell
Music Director: Amy Freeman
Choreographer: Talon Dearborne
Costume Designer: Kelly Michot
Set Designer: Jay Michot, Sidera Electric
Props Master: Amanda Hebert
Light Designers: Jeremiah Mitchell, Maren Fetters
Munchkin Choreographers: Callie McCalmont, Gianna Hines
Dance Captains: Ella Webb, Lyla Taylor, Madi West
Vocal Captains: Daisy Wester, Sarah Arnold
Stage Managers: Maren Fetters, Sarah Arnold
Technicians: Abby Hughes, Aiden Jacobs, Alyx McCue Gordon, Angelle Sims, Cade Delaney, Isabella McDaniel, Jayden Washington, Jeremiah Guidry, Jolie Carman, Kaden Horaist, Klaire Pierce, Mil Wiseman
Coming Up Next at Bolton Academy Theatre: Little Women and Into the Woods Jr.
