Lots of Munchkins in This Land of 'Oz'

This is one performance of the “Wizard of Oz” that you may find it hard to distinguish the munchkins from the other performers.

That’s because they are all kids.

Imagination Theatre, the Enumclaw area’s newest all youth theater company, will perform the classic musical at the Enumclaw High School
auditorium Aug. 11-13 at 7 p.m., along with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Director Stu Johnson has 60 kids ages 4-19 in the cast, and there’s a simple reason why it’s so popular.

“Not every kid does sports,” he said.

The children have done everything for the play, from learning their lines and performing to creating the sets and costumes.

“I tell them it’s their show” from the start, Johnson said, adding that gives them more respect for the work that needs to be done for it to be successful.

If you go to the show you will recognize most of the characters, songs and lines from the legendary movie starring Judy Garland.

“It has all the classic songs and characters you have come
to know and love,” Johnson said.

But there are a few exceptions. There is a jitterbug jazz dance and some jokes that were taken out of the movie. Plus, kids were given
roles such as the tornado, which was turned into a dance, and the poppies, which are ballerinas. Also, a performer is now playing Toto, because the dog being used kept barking at everyone.

“Some kids have five or six roles,” Johnson said.

The director said anyone who tried out is in the show, but
to sing a solo they had to perform in front of the rest of the cast.

“We had to break down some walls,” Johnson said. “Some of
them have so much self-confidence it’s incredible.”

Helping Johnson are about five older students he calls counselors
who are each in charge of a part of the performance, such as music, costumes, choreography, sets, etc. Angela Wentz will provide the music playing piano, but Johnson said his goal someday is to have an entire youth orchestra for such musicals.

The director said he had a troupe perform Oz about eight
years ago, and it was great for the kids and very family friendly – something he wants in all the plays his performers do. So, he decided to do it again.

Johnson, who owns a preschool in town and used to be with
the troupe Stage Door,  started the new group because children needed a year-round theater experience.

“We needed more for kids on the Plateau,” he said, adding
the group will perform “Robin Hood” in the fall.

The Imagination Theatre performers have been rehearsing
since July 11. Cost to attend the more than two hour performance with a 15-minute intermission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and younger and seniors 60 and older. Advance tickets are cheaper if you call the box office at 360-802-0908. Concession will be available.