SkyRise's 'Wizard' Opens Tonight

This weekend, Dorothy and Toto will know they're not in Kansas anymore when they see colors besides black and white.

SkyRise Children's Theater's production of "The Wizard of Oz" has two sets of sets, Director Tania Taylor said.

"The beginning of the show is all black and white. And when she goes to Munchkin Land, the rest of the show is in color," Taylor said during a recent rehearsal at the Gibbons Middle School.

"In the movie, before she goes to Munchkin Land, is in sepia colors."

The shows are at 7 p.m. today, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Gibbons. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $8 for chlldren under 16.

There are 42 kids, ages five to 18, from the MetroWest area in the show, said Taylor, who runs SkyRise with her husband Zachary.

"We decided we wanted to do this show because it's a big show," she said.

"It's a fun show -- lots of colors, lots of dancing, lots of good songs. And it's a very popular musical. People want to see it."

At least one family will enjoy the scenes featuring Dorothy and the Wicked Witch.
Kyra Robins is Dorothy. Sister Deirdre Robins is the Wicked Witch.

"They're both very talented and had a great audition," Taylor said.

"Dorothy needs to have the innocence about her, but also needs to have that determination and that strong will. I saw that in Kyra. She can be shy, but she can also be very outgoing. And she has a beautiful voice.

"Deirdre is very outgoing and can play these character roles amazing. She takes her characters and takes it to the next level.

"They actually play that battle between Dorothy and the Witch very, very well. You wouldn't be able to tell they're sisters."