WILLIAMSBURG — On Sept. 14, 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” made its local film debut at the Williamsburg Theatre, since renamed the Kimball Theatre.
Next weekend, a new youth theater program will bring a shortened version of the famed musical back to the Kimball’s stage for three shows. “Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” is the second production from Page to Stage, a year-round initiative launched earlier this year by the Williamsburg School for the Arts & Innovation, or WSA.
“The Kimball is so historic and beautiful,” said Bella Bray, 14, a York County student playing Glinda the Good Witch. “I’m excited to perform there, and I’ve always loved ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ I have Halloween costumes to prove it — the gowns and the ruby slippers.”
Amaria Dowling, who plays the Munchkin Mayor and is in the ensemble, rehearses with other cast members around the piano during a rehearsal for their upcoming performances of “The Wizard of Oz.” (Courtesy/Krista John)
Page to Stage aims to bring classic books to life after students have read them in class or at home. Its first show, which debuted in April, was based on C.S. Lewis’ fantasy “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The upcoming musical draws from L. Frank Baum’s tale of Dorothy, a Kansas girl transported by a tornado to the magical land of Oz.
The after-school theater program is part of WSA, a secular private school in a pilot phase with 13 full-time students in grades 3 to 8. The arts-based school, now meeting in different community locations, emphasizes creativity and hands-on learning in mixed-age groups.
WSA leaders plan to move into a permanent building on John Tyler Highway early next year and eventually expand into a fully-accredited private school that runs through 12th grade.
A crew member works on the stockinged foot belonging to the Wicked Witch of the East, who has a house dropped on her in “The Wizard of Oz.” (Courtesy/Krista John)
Page to Stage, meanwhile, is open to students from all area public and private schools, not just WSA, and to homeschooling families. The “Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” has a cast of 41 students, ages 7 to 14 — including a human “Toto” the dog — who have been rehearsing two to four times a week since August.
“All students should have the chance to grow, bond and thrive through theater,” said Krista John, WSA’s founder and the show’s producer and assistant director. “It’s amazing to watch them support one another, learn to take feedback and really gain confidence.”
A longtime school educator and administrator, John moved to James City County in 2022 and launched WSA to give families another choice in schools, as well as more opportunities for on- and off-stage theatre experiences.
For “The Wizard of Oz,” students have designed costumes and created props and set pieces ranging from castle walls to apple trees. Eventually, John would like to draw them into lighting, sound, playwriting, directing and producing duties.
Mabel Thorpe, 10, a homeschooled student from James City County, won the coveted role of Dorothy after about a year of acting. The part has come with the challenge of walking in heels for the first time, thanks to her character’s magic sparkling red shoes.
During rehearsal, Izzy John tries out her costume for her role as the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz.” (Courtesy/Krista John)
“It was actually easier than I thought,” Mabel said. “I haven’t almost fallen. And I’ve made a lot of new friends.”
Krista John’s 11-year-old homeschooled twins Izzy and Logan play the Cowardly Lion (who finds courage) and the Tin Man (who gains a heart), respectively. The siblings, both aspiring professional performers, enjoy practicing lines and being onstage together.
Izzy, fresh off a recent role as Tigger the tiger, jokes that she’s become a master of feline movements. “I love the Lion because he looks tough but is always crying,” she said. “He’s like this funny scared little cat until he figures out how to be brave.”
As for Logan, he has to stand completely motionless for about two minutes on stage while Mabel/Dorothy “oils” his rusty joints: “It feels so good! I feel like my bones actually crack when I can move.”
Eliza Peltz, a fifth grader at Stonehouse Elementary School in James City County, is part of the ensemble cast — and in her first-ever show. “I love it. I can’t believe it’s been so long in my life already that I didn’t experience this,” the 10-year-old said. “Having so many friends be around and work together to create (a show) is awesome.”
Blake Berquist and the rest of the Ozian ensemble practice a dance during rehearsal for “The Wizard of Oz.” (Courtesy/Krista John)
Page to Stage plans to offer at least two more productions this school year, possibly a smaller-scale Shakespearean play in the winter followed by a spring musical. Krista John chose “Wizard of Oz” in part to capitalize on the popularity of the “Wicked” film franchise, which tells the backstory of Glinda and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Bella, a homeschooled student and avid reader who wants to be a children’s librarian, sees Glinda as “the heart of the story, because she’s the one who initiates Dorothy’s trip down the Yellow Brick Road. She’s who allows all the characters to have their adventures.”
As opening night approaches, Bella doesn’t expect to have too much stage fright when she helps bring “The Wizard of Oz” back to the Kimball: “If you practice enough, it becomes like muscle memory. You just get to enjoy being in the moment. I can’t wait.”
Alison Johnson, ajohnsondp@yahoo.com
If you go
What: “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition”
When: Oct. 18 (2 and 6 p.m.) and 19 (2 p.m.), with about a one-hour running time. Weather permitting, cast members will also perform a free sneak peek at 12:45 p.m. this Sunday at the corner of Scotland and Boundary streets during Williamsburg’s 2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival.
Where: Kimball Theatre, 428 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg
Tickets: $12 to $18
Information: Visit williamsburgschool.org/theatre or follow Page to Stage on Instagram at @pagetostageva for details on tickets, future performances and audition dates.
