"It's a magical experience to be a part of it." John Kolar
It’s a fact that many young people have started their acting careers as munchkins.
The same is true in Geauga Lyric Theater Guild’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
“Some of them are experiencing their first time on stage,” said director John Ballantyne, “so I think it will bring them back for more.”
But Chardon’s munchkins also share some special history in this role, in that one of the original munchkins in the 1939 MGM motion picture was a Chardon resident.
Carolyn Granger was born in Chardon in 1915 and in the early 1930s joined the traveling Harvey Williams midget troupe, which was hired to play the munchkins in 1938.
Though Carolyn passed in 1973, her sister-in-law and niece attended opening night of this performance — tickets given to them by the scarecrow, John Kolar, in tribute.
“Mom said that she thought it was great,” said Pam Granger, the niece. “It was pretty true to the original movie, too. I don’t think I have been to a show there that I didn’t like.”
The Wizard of Oz plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May 18 on the historic Chardon Square. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $10 for children, and can be purchased online at GeaugaTheater.org or at the door.
Pre-order tickets have sold better than usual, the theater says, which comes as no surprise for such a popular family-friendly production. Once doors opened, though, Ballantyne said audiences also reacted positively opening weekend to its fantastic cast.
Classic sets and songs promise many returns to Kansas and the memorable Oz.
“The munchkins have really come through and worked very hard,” said Ballantyne, whose extensive bio includes more than 50 years of live theater in both professional and community levels, including one previous show at Geauga. “My leads in the show are all top quality actors and portray these characters in the classic sense as people will remember from the film.”
Featured cast members include Allison Lehr reprising her role as Dorothy; John Kolar as the scarecrow; Justin Simons as the tin man; Peter Percassi as the cowardly lion; Angela Percassi as the Wicked Witch of the West; Jessica Boalt as Glinda; Mark Miloro as the Wizard; and a very well-behaved Ray, a Border Terrier named for the film actor who played the scarecrow, as Toto.
The role of the scarecrow is a bucket list role for Kolar, who otherwise acts as chief naturalist at Geauga Park District.
Kolar has played numerous roles with the GLTG, including the lion in the “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
“It’s an honor for me to bring the scarecrow to life,” he said. “Like most people, I grew up with this show. It’s a magical experience to be a part of it.”
This cast of 50 includes 24 munchkins between the ages of 7 and 12, and a girls’ chorus of mostly teens, so it’s also a family affair for many in the community. For instance, the cowardly lion and wicked witch are married, and their daughter Leah is a munchkin, on stage. Off stage Leah is in fourth grade.
Lee Ann Tamburrino is co-producer with Patty Osredkar, co-costumer with Julie Douglass, and mother of three munchkins and one winkie.
“I watched the show for the first time Saturday night, and I was amazed by the talent of the cast,” Tamburrino said. “With that many young people, keeping everyone focused and on task is not an easy job, but the younger members of the cast respected the director and worked hard.
“Jack took a talented cast and raised everyone’s performance to a higher level. I am very impressed by the director’s ability to create a delightful show.”
Imaginative and creative costume design by Douglass is a particular highlight, Tamburrino said. Her personal favorites are the snowflake and jitterbug costumes, complimented by those scenes’ interesting choreography by Marylin Young, as well as Glinda’s costume made by Kelly Miloro.
The show’s classic music is directed by Vanessa Pintabona; Samantha Winters is stage manager.
