Health & Fitness
Preview of 'The Wizard of Oz' at St. Francis-St. Hedwig School [UPDATED]
'Wizard of Oz' will be presented this weekend at St. Francis-St. Hedwig School and admissions is free!
The Drama Club at St. Francis-St. Hedwig School was created to increase self-esteem and confidence, increase language arts skills and develop some acting skills for our students. The club is supported by a stage crew comprised of students in Grades 7 and 8. Leadership, Time Management, and Team Building skills are developed through this co-operative effort.
Students are under the direction of Mrs. Wanda Mascola.
The school performs a spring time show annually. Auditions are open to students in Grades 6-8 in the fall. Once the lead roles are selected the club is open to students in Grades 3-8.
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In 2014 a Junior Club was added which casts students in Grades 3-5 with lead roles in an abbreviated version of the original production.
This year the club will be performing:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Wizard of Oz
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- Friday, April 26- 6:00 p.m.- The Wizard of Oz (Grades 3-5)
- Saturday-April 27-1:00 p.m. -The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- Sunday-April 28 – The Wizard of Oz
Following the 11:30 Mass – in the parish hall
I was one of fifteen adults with experience in the theatre invited to attend a final dress rehearsal on Thursday. I gladly accepted the invitation and the compliment and I was honored to sit with the likes of Torrington HS teacher Mary McVerry and Burgess Rocky Vitale.
Ms. Mascola thanked the many volunteers that helped her with building the set, sound (provided by the Silva family) and crowd control before the show began. The students then joyfully performed the first act for our panel and we then provided feedback about the production.
While I won't write a full review of this ambitious production, I will mention a few of the parts I like best. The large set involves the small stage in the third floor gym and the rear of the gym is also used; it was very effective. Seating for patrons was along the side of the long rectangle.
I saw fine costumes, especially on the four lead characters. The young ladies playing Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow, and Lion were fine actresses and sang well. The adorable youngest members of the cast played the Munchkins of course and ever member of this cast was supportive of each other. The Wizard himself was a fine voice actor in the first act. Older students dressed in black served as an efficient stage crew and the school music teacher played piano.
It was evident that the cast had worked hard with Ms. Mascola to get this show on their stage. Congratulations on a job well done. See above for performance dates and times.
Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase at all shows. The school is located at 294 Church St. in downtown Naugatuck, between the Y and St. Francis of Assisi Church. The gym is on the third floor (enter via side doors to the right of the main doorway, and take stairs to top). The entrances to the church hall are located on either side of the building. The hall is fully handicapped accessible (follow signs on left side to handicapped entrance). Come support our kids who have worked extremely hard under the masterful direction of Wanda Mascola. Michael Petruzzi will be tickling the ivories as Musical Director.
