JGMS Musical: The Wizard of Oz, with performances April 2, 3, 4 and 5

*Many of the Wizard of Oz leads and the ensemble during a recent rehearsal.*

Submitted by the JGMS Musical Team

“A heart is not judged by how much you love;
but by how much you are loved by others.”

Come support the John Glenn Middle School Music Department and its students who have been working hard preparing for this year’s show. What is it? Well, there might just be lions, and tigers and bears, oh my! This show has a girl from Kansas and her dog, munchkins, a brainless scarecrow, a tin man without a heart, a cowardly lion, a good witch and a wicked witch, flying monkeys, a powerful wizard… and mostly importantly, our wonderful JGMS 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade performers.

As it is the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, it is fitting that John Glenn Middle School Music Director Amy Budka chose the all-time classic for this year’s musical.

Performances are scheduled for

Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 3 a matinee at 4 p.m.
Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m., and
Saturday, April 5 at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available at the JGMS, Lane and Davis School offices, and at Fetch It! At 48 Great Road, Bedford. Tickets are $9.00, and $5.00 for the Thursday matinee performance.

The musical production team includes Budka, Linda Aiken, Libbey Beinert-Hunnewell, Barbara Ferri, Jaime Smith, Josh Shaine, Jaime Smith and Danika Webb.

Cast and Crew

Beginning at auditions, Budka and her team found that they faced a good problem to have when planning a show: many talented and motivated middle-schoolers! Over 70 tried out for parts.

Budka double-cast the leads for this year’s show, and added an additional performance. Each lead will perform twice, and on his/her off-nights will either sing in the chorus or work with the stage crew. The show will feature close to 100 students on stage and 20 terrific students managing the house, backstage, props, lights and sound.

Leads for Wednesday and Friday Performances
Dorothy, Isabella Panagiotou; Scarecrow, Dan Linatser; Tin Man, Ben Woodward; Cowardly Lion, Kate Winkler; Wicked Witch of the West, Madi Siegal; Glinda Goodwitch, Mia Natalizio; Wizard of Oz/Marvel, Eran Zelixon; Doorman at Emerald City, Grace Clark; Toto, Talia Kriesberg; Aunt Em, Taline Dawson; Uncle Henry, Nikhi Malrani; and Miss Gultch, Helen Pulizzi.

Leads for Thursday and Saturday Performances
Dorothy, Madelyn Dearing; Scarecrow, Cameron Maurice; Tin Man, Noah Southard; Cowardly Lion, Jamie Winn; Wicked Witch of the West, Michaela Francesconi; Glinda Goodwitch, Julia Doucet; Wizard of Oz/Marvel, Gus Wiedey; Doorman at Emerald City, Gabe Alper; Toto, Kylie Ward; Aunt Em, Christina Solitro; Uncle Henry, Tim Regan; Miss Gultch, Leslie Yan.

Ensemble (All Four Performances)
Head Winky Guard, Tim Regan ; Hunk, Amy Martin ; Hickory, Nina Knight ; Zeke, Lauren Sullivan ; Creepy Tree/Winkie, Tim Regan and Nikhi Malrani; Munchkin Soloist #1, Samantha Gallant ; Munchkin Soloist #2, Rachel Winkler; Mayor of the Munchkins, Miles Callis; Barrister, Liam Oates; Coroner, Amelia Leida; Nikko the Monkey Commander, Antranig Douglas; Lullaby League Quartet, Marja Hubbard, Katie Pinney, Julia Mascoli, and Maria Wilson.

Chorus (All Four Performances)

Munchkins, Poppies and Jitterbugs: Maddie Anderson-LaPorte, Danielle Arnold, Calista Barber, Kiley Bertos, Marlaina Bland, Carly DeMello, Maya Deparalto, Araz Dulgarian, Mia Federico, Noelle Fisette, Emily Harrington, Olivia Harrington, Nicole Hebert, Tatum Holley, Nia Jaakkola, Kayleigh Mason, Grace McNulty, Lily Nemirovski, Caitlin Pequeno, Haley Portlock, Joleen Ricci, Isabella Stuzynski, Ashley Tonini, Caroline Towle, and Lillian Yang-Schmidt.
Crows and Jitterbugs: Morgan Anderson, Madi Belbute, Mia Bernstein, Megan Bradford, Lisa Byrne, Faith Fombu-Atwood, Martha Haviland, Eleanor Krusemark, Taylor Ryan, Sophia Seldon, Jenna Sharkawy, Julia Simoneau, and Marissa Vitale.
Winkies: Mikey Buonopane, Kyle Harrington, Harrison Liang, and Ishaan Sud.
Lullaby League and Ozians: Melissa Driscoll, Adriana Harris-Cavalho, Alisha Lerra, Kathryn McNulty, Gabriella Oliviera, Lauren Venuti, Melanie Weber, and Victoria Whitmore.

Stage Crew
The student stage crew managers are Morgan DerMarderosian, Spencer Stevens, John Giaquinto, Mari Fay and Chris Cowles.
Crews include Allysa Brown, Danielle Clement, Brandon Cordero, Megha Dalal, Aidan Duncan, Zachary Dooks, Jessi Johnson, David Lach, Brooke Martin, Mia Natalizio, Nicholas Gibbons, Sarah Pequeno, Will Sandblom, Lucy Santiago, Taylor Simons. Bedford High School student Alexa Vafiades is in charge of videography.

Musicians
In the pit are two Bedford High School musicians: Emma Ferguson on flute, and Michaela Simoneau on trombone, Amy Budka accompanies on percussion, Michael Budka on bass and Music Director, Linda Aiken on piano.

Volunteers
More than 75 parents and community members are involved as volunteers behind the scenes in preparation for the show, including coordinators Mary Gallant, Liz Cowles, Julie Brown, Cynthia and Rick Fisette, Jeff Ferro, Kristin Doucet, Christine Pinney, Hillary DeMello, Monica Bou, Michelle Puntillo, Stephanie Kriesberg, Tina Nappi.

As always, the JGMS Music Department is grateful for support from our teachers, school personnel and staff, as well as the Bedford community. We look forward to seeing you at the show!