Friday I had the opportunity to see our drama department put on their production of “The Wizard of Oz”. The performance was so professional; if I didn’t know most of the cast, I would have forgotten that I was in Pitman High’s Black Box!

  As soon as you walked into the Black Box, you were greeted by a kind a helpful crew, they asked for your name and showed you to your seat. Because the show was sold out, there was a problem with lack of seats but the drama director did a fantastic job with working out the problem. While waiting for everyone to be seated, the audience was treated to the smooth sounds of our band. Finally the light dimmed and everyone was situated and the play started.

  Ashlyn Inman played Dorothy and throughout the play she remained in perfect character. She really knows how to bring a play to life. The entire cast really made it seem like they could have been doing this on Broadway. When high school students can bring such a remarkable play/movie to life, it makes for a very impressive show.

  The Wicked Witch of the West was played by Vanessa Olive—she really got the screeching evil laugh of her character down. She did an amazing job bringing her painted green face and black outfit to life, she was very convincing. When she would sneak up on Dorothy and her friends I was convinced that she was an evil witch. When her evil flying monkeys came out chanting, the costumes and noise was frightening. They all chanted simultaneously, which can be hard to do, but they were all in perfect synchronization. Overall, the witch and her monkeys did an amazing job.

  The Lion, played by Austin Alvaji, was my favorite character in the performance. From his comedic voice to the way he would carry himself, it was hilarious; this brought the attention away from the conflict to laugh. When he would talk about not being courageous, it was just so convincing. He really gave the audience 100 percent.

  Scarecrow, played by Annie Fei, was perfect. From the way he would stumble in his step to the way he would help others walk, the character was played perfectly. I felt the Scarecrow was really on the stage in front of me. Annie really did just an amazing job fulfilling her role.

  Tin Man, played by Ethan Hennes, was quite an interesting Tin Man. He made the hand-made costume really seem like the one in the movie. He really gave it his all.

  The songs, music, choreography, memorization of lines, and the cast were just amazing. With our own band in the background, it made the overall experience more realistic. The drama club really knows how to put on an amazing show. Everything in the Wizard of Oz was. In my opinion, that was definitely the best $12 I have ever spent. Next time our drama department puts on a play, skip the movies and run to the theater—you will be impressed.