BTG Is Off To See The Wizard Final 60th Anniversary Season Show

CHICAGO – The Beverly Theatre Guild is off to see the wizard. The community theater group is mounting “The Wizard of Oz,” the final show of its 60th anniversary season. This timeless tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has entertained audiences for generations.

Bringing this beloved, classic story to life on the BTG stage is director Scott Sowinski (Orland Park), with assistant direction from Aron Arellano (Scottsdale) and Jean Friend (Palos Hills), along with choreography by Madeline Curtin (Mt. Greenwood).

Rounding out the artistic staff is Sharon Mason (Ashburn) as Music Director and Michael Barr-Schinzel (Beverly) as the Assistant Music Director. The show is being produced by Wayne Wendell (Beverly) and Tony Zawila (Scottsdale).

The musical production stars 57 cast members, including adults, teens and children. Playing the main roles are Jordyn TeBeest-Fraats (Oak Park) as Dorothy Gale, Andrew Dicksen (Tinley Park) as Scarecrow, Joshua Fraats (Oak Park) as Tinman, Ben Walker (Blue Island) as Cowardly Lion, Shannon Bracken (Oak Lawn) as Glinda, Meg Massaro (Beverly) as The Wicked Witch of the West, and Fred Eberle (Oak Lawn) as The Wizard of Oz. Toto will be played by a delightful dog, Stella Reusz (Frankfort).

The supporting and ensemble adult/teen cast includes: Morgan Ayres (Palos
Heights), Tim Casey (Oak Lawn), Eileen Casey (Oak Lawn), Rachel DeBoer
(Crestwood), Audrey Edwards (Morgan Park), Allianna Garcia (Evergreen Park), Jay
Gyarmathy (Beverly), Emma Harold (Oak Lawn), Quinn Henriksen (Hyde Park), Erin
Jennings (Hometown), Jen Lenihan (Oak Lawn), Tessa Macino Miller (Geneva), Max
Martin (Crete), Kelli Mason (Oak Lawn), Chaelyn McGuire (Mt. Greenwood), Sydney
Milligan (Pill Hill), Rika (Dearborn Park), John Neumann (Beverly), Grace O’Malley
(Evergreen Park), Sarah Pollard (Mokena), Grace Regalado (Worth), Stephanie Reusz
(Frankfort), Gail Scruggs Lauryn (Morgan Park), Erica Silver Marfo (Morgan Park),
Cheryl Suwardi (Highland, IN), and Paul Wagner (Hammond, IN).

The Children’s Ensemble includes: Emma Carroll (Mt. Greenwood), Egypt
Cooley (Orland Park), Jack Cusack (Mt. Greenwood), Finn Doyle (Evergreen Park),
Jeffrey Edwards (Morgan Park), Kimmy Fruth (St. John, IN), Morgan Gallagher
(Beverly), Rain Gonzalez (Oak Lawn), Story Gonzalez (Oak Lawn), Vivian Groves
(Homewood), Lily Jennings (Morgan Park), Josephine Kuzniewski (Orland Park), Vera
Lee (Lincoln Park), Max Molenda (Orland Park), Elena Mora (Oak Lawn), Lucas Mora
(Oak Lawn), Olive Oakes (Oak Lawn), Gracelyn Olafsson (Mt. Greenwood), Francesca
Ruggieri (Beverly), Asiyah Sackor (Gary, IN), Emily Suwardi (Highland, IN), Kiley
Tewell (Oak Lawn), Carys VanderGroef (Beverly), and Ivy Zylius (Oak Lawn).

The show follows the famous 1939 film based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, including the songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.

Performances are 7 p.m. April 28 and April 29, with 2 p.m. matinees April 29 and April 30 in the Baer Theatre at Morgan Park Academy Arts Center, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago. Tickets are on sale now: adults $24 and members $22. Buy them online or call 773-BTG-TIXS (284-8497).