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February 14, 2003/Adar 12 5763, Vol. 55, No. 25
Making music
VOSJCC presents first children's musical
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center is presenting the children's musical "The Wizard of Oz" March 1-2. Pictured are Maya Evans, Lion, and Brett Lakin, Tin Man, at a recent rehearsal.
Photo by Sara Abrams
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Dorothy, Toto and the Tin Man will be visiting the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in March, when the VOSJCC will present its first children's musical "The Wizard of Oz."
Sara Abrams, children's coordinator for the VOSJCC, is directing the production, which includes more than 50 children. The children will not only be performing in the production, but are also responsible for the technical aspects, including creating the sets.
According to Abrams, about 75 percent of the children involved are members of the VOSJCC, although neither being a member nor being Jewish are required. All children who auditioned were given a role in the production.
"I found a part for everybody. I didn't want it to be an audition where they came in and they were afraid they wouldn't get a part," she says. The decision to cast everyone stemmed from Abrams own experiences as a child. Because she was shy, she didn't take up theater until she was a teenager.
"Rejection could prevent them from pursuing this and if they were given the opportunity, they may be really good."
Rehearsals began twice a week on Jan. 16, and recently a third rehearsal per week was added to prepare for the production. The youngest child participating is 5 years old - she'll be playing the part of Toto - and the oldest is 18.
"I opened it up to everybody because I wanted to get at least middle school or high school age for Dorothy and the Tin Man, just because there's a lot of lines," says Abrams.
Abrams believes that adding a theater program helps to broaden the offerings at the VOSJCC beyond the typical sports activities.
"They're getting to explore another aspect of their life. At a young age, they're not really sure what they're going to be good at," she explains. "A lot of times kids have to wait until high school until they can explore theater. I think it's a good introduction for them."
Performances will be held 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1 and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Cost is $5 members, $10 nonmembers. Call 480-483-7121 ext. 1205.
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