After more than a year, The Little Theatre of Jefferson City will take to the stage this week for the first time since canceling several of its 2020 shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Little Theatre will open its 52nd season by performing the classic "The Wizard of Oz" at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday, as well as at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, at the Miller Performing Arts Center, at 501 Madison St. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and younger.
Based on the L. Frank Baum novel and 1939 film, "The Wizard of Oz" follows Dorothy Gale, who is transported by tornado from her Kansas farm to Oz. In Oz, she must follow the yellow brick road to visit the Wizard in Emerald City. On that trip, she makes several new friends, including a tin man, scarecrow and lion. But getting back home won't be easy as she must avoid the Wicked Witch of the West.
"We went dark last year due to the pandemic so when we decided that we were ready to open back up and start doing stuff again, we decided we needed to do something that was going to be family-friendly, that was going to be entertaining, that was going to be inclusive of all different ages to be in the show," said Gabrielle Wittenberger, director of "The Wizard of Oz" and artistic director for The Little Theatre.
The Little Theatre canceled its planned season in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since spring of this year, volunteers have been working diligently to return to the stage.
"Everybody involved with TLT are very excited to just be back doing theater again and back doing what we love," Wittenberger said. "We missed it for the year that we did not do it."
"The Wizard of Oz" will be a show all ages can relate to, Wittenberger said. Older audience members will remember watching the movie on TV and can enjoy the nostalgia by watching the show live on stage. Many children adore various characters in "The Wizard of Oz" so Wittenberger is already anticipating seeing several little Dorothys and scarecrows in the audience.
Jillian Wells, a junior at Jefferson City High School, said it has been a great opportunity playing Dorothy. This is her first time playing the lead character so while it has been exciting, it has also been a learning experience. Wells's situation is also unique in that her father plays the all-powerful Wizard and her mother serves as a production manager.
"One of my most favorite parts is being able to bond with my other cast members, especially scarecrow, tin man and lion to be able to build relationships with everyone on stage," she said.
The Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation is partnering with The Little Theatre of Jefferson City in that tickets sales from the production will go toward funding grants for fine arts teachers in the Jefferson City School District.
"They don't always get as much support as a lot of other programs do so it's important to me because all of these kids who are on stage, they've learned how to do this from their music teacher, from their drama teacher," Wittenberg said. "It all starts in the classroom, so that's where we want to put our money."
Guests can purchase tickets by calling 573-681-9400 or visiting tltjc.org.
Wittenberger strongly recommended those attending "The Wizard of Oz" productions wear masks.