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Kansas-bred Dorothy Gale, the “Wizard of Oz” heroine who finds acceptance and belonging in a land beyond the rainbow, is coming to LaGrange College’s Price Theater mainstage along with her trusted companions and the interesting personalities she encounters during her travels.

L. Frank Baum’s timeless classic was made famous in the 1939 film featuring Judy Garland as Dorothy. 

“Our production features all the favorite characters and songs from the film with some twists and surprises,” said Director Kim Barber Knoll, Professor of Theatre Arts at LaGrange College. 

The show opens Oct. 24 and runs through Oct. 27. Performance times are 6 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“The cast of 47 includes LC students, faculty, staff and local actors from the community, including LaGrange College theatre arts alumna Melissa Stanley as Aunt Em, and 25 ‘Munchkins’ from Hollis Hand Elementary, LaGrange Academy and Hillside Montessori,” Knoll said. “LaGrange College Biology professor Mark Yates will play Uncle Henry, and our head men’s basketball coach Kendal Wallace makes his Price debut as the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.”

First-time actor, SGA President and senior political science and religion and philosophy double major Daniel Cody, who plays one of the Winkie Guards, said this experience has been an opportunity for him to live out his desire to be on the stage. 

“I first became interested in theatre when I was a freshman in high school,” he said. “Working on this production has allowed me to learn about the technical and creative aspects of theatre. It has been amazing to collaborate with actors devoted to their craft.”

Freshman musical theatre major Madilyn Rieke, who will play multiple ensemble roles, said she has loved being part of a large musical production.

“It has been a wonderful learning experience for me,” she said. “I am soaking up everything the veteran actors and professors are teaching me.”

Taking on the roles of Dorothy and her friends Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion are sophomore Aubrey Helton, sophomore Braeden Martin, senior Jackie Morman and senior Will Gray, respectively. 

Helton said she tapped into her own experiences when developing her character.

“Growing up, I often had trouble fitting in with others much like Dorothy,” she said. “However, also like my character, I learned how to carve my own path.”

For Martin, Morman and Gray, they researched the film, pulled from their own experiences and relied on chemistry with fellow cast members to create these iconic roles.

“This character has a completely different physicality from my own, and it’s been challenging to rehearse in makeshift rehearsal ‘tin,’” Martin said. “The relationships between these characters came easily as we are all friends.”

“With Scarecrow, I have had fun exploring a character who literally has no ‘brain’ and who also has the physicality of being stuffed with straw—loose, yet precise movements,” Morman said. 

“The movements of the lion are large and theatrical, much like his physical stature,” Gray said. “The character became second nature to me during our first run-through.”

The witches Dorothy and her trio of companions meet on their way to the Emerald City include Glinda, played by junior Aria Mabry, and the Wicked Witch of the West, played by freshman Jeanne Haggerty.

Mabry, who also serves as assistant choreographer, said the role of Glinda has allowed her to embrace another side of herself. 

“I find myself in a lot of comedic roles, so getting to play this icon of beauty and grace has been a lot of fun,” Mabry said. “I have also thoroughly enjoyed getting to use my extensive dance training as co-choreographer for the production.”

Haggerty, who is making her debut on the Price Theater stage, said it has been an exciting challenge portraying such an infamous villain. 

“In my process of creating the character, I focus on staying true to the role people know and love while also trying to make it my own.” 

“The production elements—scenery, properties, costumes, sound and lights—are extensive, one of the most technically challenging productions we have ever done,” Knoll said. “There is a lot of magic packed into approximately 80 minutes!”

Tickets must be reserved online by emailing priceboxoffice@lagrange.edu. The email needs to include the performance date and the number of people in the party. The online box office will open on Monday, Oct. 7, at noon. 

Seating is general admission. It is recommended for attendees to arrive early. The show is free for faculty, staff and students; $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.