Wizard of Oz Program

Presented by The St. Thomas’s Day School Sixth Grade Class of 2020 Monday, June 8th, 2020

CAST Blue Narrator / Barrister / Cowardly Lion……….….….Rosie Aiken Dorothy / Red Narrator / Blue Narrator………....…… Quinby Berry Joe / Shaggy / Wicked Witch of the West………...……Micah Betts Burly / Woody / Dorothy / Red Narrator…..…....….Jack Champion Purple Narrator / Mayor / Tin Woodcutter…...……..Rocco DeMaio Scarecrow / Yellow Narrator…………....…..……...…..Tosca ffrench Red Narrator / Dorothy / Green Narrator ……….…...Maeve Klatell Wicked Witch of the West / Toto……………….….Marlon McFerren Auntie Em / Gatekeeper……………………....……….Olivia Mokotoff Uncle Henry / Wizard of Oz……..…………….….Benjamin Partridge Green Narrator / Glinda ……………………….....……….Anvi Pathak Tin Woodcutter / Orange Narrator ……………....…...Thomas Sang Toto / Purple Narrator…………………....…Jude Shirkhani-Forsberg Curly / Shady / Scarecrow …………….………...……Tyler Tagliarini Orange Narrator / Coroner / Rascal ……….…...Cora Turk-Thomas Yellow Narrator / Scamp…………………………..…...Veronica Vece Cowardly Lion / Chimp……………………………...…...Jose Walters Glinda / Red Narrator / Dorothy………………..……....Mae Williams Additional Voices Eleanor Lee, Molly Myers, Arjun Nichols, Kaelin Vasseur, Matthew Vasseur

CREW Director: Andrew Myers Art Director/Lead Animator: Jan Nichols Music Director: Nora Lee Producer: Chaundra Vasseur Animation Team Maeve Klatell, Marlon McFerren, Olivia Mokotoff, Jan Nichols, Cora Turk-Thomas, Veronica Vece, Chaundra Vasseur, Mae Williams Character Design STTS Class of 2020 Publicity Olivia Mokotoff, Ben Partridge, Cora Turk-Thomas, Jose Walters Sound Editing Nora Lee, Andrew Myers, Jan Nichols, Matthew Vasseur Technical Support John Deptulski (Ferocious Content), Chris Stapleton Written by Frank L. Baum Adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller Music and Lyrics Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg (1939) Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (2011) Accompaniment Tracks Wood Oaks Jr. High School Northbrook, IL Chris Lee, piano Opening Credits Your Time To Shine (2020) Lyrics by STTS Students - Artsy Field Day Workshop Closing Credits Wicked by Stephen Schwartz (2003) “For Good” performed by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth Special Thanks Elya Bottiger

Nora Lee (Music Director) is the music teacher and second grade assistant teacher at St. Thomas's. Guiding the 6th graders through a video production of the Wizard of Oz has been an enlightening journey. Her yellow brick road took her on an adventure that began in fear of the wicked witch of video editing, but ended up in the Emerald City of friendship, courage, and heart.

She may even have used her brain here and there.

There’s no place like home when she can Google Meet with the extraordinary humans she calls colleagues and students. She is patiently waiting for the day she can click her heels together and be back in the granite shelter of St. T’s, but until then she is grateful for the Wonderful World of Mr. Myers, Ms. Nichols, Mrs. Vasseur, Anvi, Ben, Cora, Jack, Jose, Jude, Mae, Maeve, Marlon, Micah, Olivia, Quinby, Rocco, Rosie, Thomas, Tosca, Tyler, and Veronica.

Andrew Myers (Director) has been acting his whole life (even occasionally like an adult) and loves to sing and tell stories both onstage and off.

Some of his favorite roles have been: Harry MacAfee, Daddy Warbucks, Tevye, Third Shrub (from the left), husband, father, teacher, librarian, friend, and theatre director… not necessarily in that order. You may (or may not if you blinked) have seen him on your television in Law & Order.

Andrew has been sharing his love of all things dramatic with the St. Thomas’s community for the past twenty four years. He would like to thank the Oz cast, their families, his fellow faculty/staff, and his offstage family for their positivity, flexibility, and support throughout this remarkable on and offline production season.

Toi, toi, toi!

Jan Nichols (Art Director/Lead Animator) has an incredible eye for detail! For the past dozen years she has lovingly, meticulously, and patiently collaborated with the cast of each production to ensure they look their best. She guides the tone and feeling of every show, ensuring props and sets are both dazzling - and appropriately child crafted.

This year Jan challenged herself (and all of us) to learn new skills in order to deliver stunning visuals in an unprecedented digital format. Jan would like to thank cast and colleagues for their enthusiasm, hard work, and creativity. Break a leg!

Chaundra Vasseur (Producer) fondly remembers acting in school plays, but is happiest backstage. At STTS, she enjoyed being the sound designer and operator for “Game of the Thrones” and “Joseph”.

For this animated version of the 6th grade play, Mrs. Vasseur had to use her BRAIN and summon her COURAGE to tackle new roles, such as animating and voice acting. She would like to thank Mr. Myers, Ms.Nichols, and Mrs.Lee for sharing endless support, creativity, and laughter; her husband and children for production assistance, and last minute voice work; and the STTS community for their commitment to arts education. Finally, with all her HEART, she thanks the Class of 2020 for always bringing their best selves to the classroom and to the stage - even when the classroom and stage moved online! She wishes them all the best as they TRAVEL down the ROAD ahead and hopes they remember they will always have a HOME at STTS!

Rosie Aiken (Blue Narrator / Barrister / Cowardly Lion) is strange. If you looked inside her head, you would see a rainbow mess.

Everything gets tangled together. Often, if she is eating something with one hand, and throwing something away with the other, she will end up throwing away what she is eating and taking a bite out of her trash. She loves axolotls, sea bunny slugs, the color of spring leaves, and wading in the Mill river with her dogs. Last year she was in “A Comedy of Errors”, and really enjoyed playing Dromio of Ephesus. Rosie would like to thank Ms. Nichols, for teaching her how to animate, Mrs. Lee, for encouraging her musically, Mr. Myers, for coaxing out her inner roar, and Mrs. Vasseur, for helping her with all of these things.

Micah Betts (WIcked Witch / Joe the Munchkin / Shaggy the Tree) has had a very positive experience taking our play to the screen. Past acting experience have included roles in such STTS plays as Earth Day, Paul Revere, and Echo and Narcissus. He has had enjoyed playing the Wicked Witch and Joe the Munchkin because the roles are very different.

Joe is a nice and friendly munchkin and the Wicked Witch is evil and he really liked practicing his evil laughter. He would like to say Thank you to Mr. Myers, Ms Nichols, Mrs.Lee and Mrs.Vasseur for helping the 6th grade put on an amazing play.

Quinby Berry (Dorothy / Red Narrator / Blue Narrator) has risen to the challenge of acting in this animated version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. His favorite thing to do in his free time is play basketball. He also plays tennis at Tennis Central in Woodbridge. Quinby sings in the Trinity Choir of Men and Boys, and is in his third year. Quinby would like to thank Mrs. Vasseur, Mrs. Lee, Ms. Nichols, and Mr. Myers for putting this entire play together. He would also like to thank his classmates for working so hard on the production.

Jack Champlion (Dorothy / Red Narrator / Burly the Munchkin / Woody the Tree) is honored to be a part of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The production of the 6th grade musical began with a plan to perform live for the whole school and Jack is thrilled to be a part of this new animated version!

Previous roles at STTS have included Badger in “The Mitten”, Tree in “The Boy who cried Bigfoot”, Henry Champion in “Coming to New Haven”, John Hancock in “4th of June Chapel” and Chorus #2 in “Echo and Narcissus”. Jack also held an ensemble role in Broadway Method Academy’s production of “Frozen”. He can’t thank Mr. Myers, Ms. Nichols, and the rest of the cast and crew enough for pulling this whole operation together.

Rocco Demaio (Purple Narrator / Mayor Of Munchkinville / Tin Woodcutter) loves sports, acting and having a good time with his friends.

He has been at STTS since kindergarten and has been in a play each year. He is excited for this play even though it was not produced the way he or anyone expected it to be. The play has been a lot of work, as usual, but he knows all that hard work has paid off to make a great production. Rocco wants to thank Mr. Myers, Ms. Nichols, and Mrs. Lee for putting the production together and making it possible without the normal setting.

Tosca ffrench (Scarecrow / Yellow Narrator) enjoys many things varying from acting to drawing (really any form of art), rollerblading and skateboarding too. Her favorite songs in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are “If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/Courage” and “Already Home”.

Tosca would like to thank Mr. Myers, Ms. Nichols, Mrs. Vasseur, and Mrs. Lee for helping pull this play together and making it the best play ever even with this whole pandemic going on.

Thank you!!

Maeve Klatell (Dorothy / Red Narrator / Green Narrator) is a generally positive person who likes the color yellow and whose favorite flowers are daisies. She loves her role in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz because she gets to interact with many other characters and create a wonderful acting fantasy with them. Maeve’s favorite role has been the Snowshoe Rabbit in “The Mitten”. She would like to thank Ms. Nichols, Mr. Myers, and Ms. Lee for making this “production” possible. She is excited for everyone to see the show!

Marlon McFerren (Wicked Witch of The West / Toto) is so happy to be a part of this production of “The Wonderful WIzard of Oz”. As a kindergartener he enjoyed watching the 6th graders perform this show. A few weeks later he watched the movie and was amazed. To this day, “The Wizard Of Oz,” is one of his favorite movies. Marlon loves his role as the witch. She has always been his favorite character, so playing her is very fun. Marlon also enjoys playing Toto. He has two dogs so it is fun to play one. Previous roles in STTS shows include: a deer in “The Mitten”, a sheep in, “The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot,”, his grandfather in, “Coming to New Haven,” and the servant in his 5th grade play.

Marlon has enjoyed all of his roles and is excited to share this version of “The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz,” with you! Marlon would like to thank all of his classmates and teachers who helped with the play. Through these tough circumstances everyone who helped managed to finish a task that almost seemed impossible.

Olivia Mokotoff (Auntie Em / Gatekeeper) likes sports and books. She has been in a school play every year (mandatory) and loves it.

Olivia enjoys playing Auntie Em and especially the Gatekeeper. She would like to thank Mr. Myers, Mrs. Lee, Ms. Nichols and Mrs. Vasseur for helping with the play even when they all had other things to deal with especially during quarantine.

Anvi Pathak (Green Narrator / Glinda) is a dancer and loves acting. She also loves dogs, and all shades of blue. Anvi’s favorite songs in “The Wonderful World of Oz” are “Already Home”, and and “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead”. Anvi enjoys playing the Green Narrator and Glinda, especially, because she keeps the story moving and she is a very important character in the Wizard of Oz. Anvi would like to thank Mrs.Vasseur, Mr. Myers, Mrs.Lee, and Ms.Nichols. She would also like to thank her dog for listening to her while she practised her lines.

Benjamin Partridge (Uncle Henry / Wizard of Oz) really likes his role because he can yell at other people and tell them what to do. He enjoyed drawing his character because the wizard’s features are very distinctive and require a range of emotions. Ben has been in five school productions apart from this, and really enjoys the thrill of the stage. He wants to thank Mrs. Lee for supporting and encouraging him, Mr. Myers for guiding him, and Ms. Nichols and the rest of the animation team for taking all the artwork and turning it into an awesome production.

Thomas Sang (Tin Woodcutter / Orange Narrator) is a human who likes the color blue, talking, new things, and fun activities. This is his first theater experience at STTS, but at his old school, he had a couple of theater experiences and was in many instrumental performances. Thomas had a good time being the Tin Woodcutter since there is a fun journey that he gets to act through. Thomas would like to thank Mr. Myers, Mrs. Lee, Ms. Nichols, Mrs. Vasseur and all other contributors for putting so much effort into the play and for making it the best it can be. Thomas would also want to thank his parents for supporting him while he was singing at home.

Jude Shirkhani-Forsberg (Red Narrator / Toto) loves soccer and having fun. Previous STTS performances include Atalanta and the Great Race in fifth grade. He would like to thank everyone involved with the play this year and is looking forward to sharing this animation.

Cora Turk-Thomas (Orange Narrator / Coroner / Rascal - a flying monkey) loves cats which is why she put one on the orange narrator’s shoulder in the play. Cora thought it was really fun to put on the play in this format because she got to use features on ProCreate she didn’t even know existed. Cora’s favorite word in the entire play is “aver”.

Coincidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally) it is one of the coroner’s lines. Some of Cora’s roles in previous plays include: the Mourning Dove in “The Mitten”, the candlestick maker in “The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot” and the Queen in “Atalanta and the Great Race”. She would like to thank everyone who helped with the play, but most especially Mrs. Vasseur, Mrs. Lee, Ms. Nichols, and Mr. Myers.

Tyler Tagliarini (Curly the Munchkin / Shady the tree / Scarecrow) likes acting, and laughing. He has had a role in each of the STTS plays throughout the years and loved participating in them with everyone else. Tyler would like to thank Mr. Myers for support and for taking the time to record everyone for their parts; Mrs. Lee for putting all of the recordings together to make a song; Ms. Nichols for animating all of the artwork; and Mrs. Vasseur for supporting everyone. Tyler appreciates everyone's work and support and hopes you all enjoy the show!

Veronica Vece (Yellow Narrator / Scamp - a flying monkey) likes hanging out with friends and family.

She has played narrators in many past plays, but this one is special for her. Veronica would like to first thank Mr. Myers for encouraging her, along with others, to do their best in this production.

She’d also like to thank Mrs. Vasseur, Ms. Nichols and Mrs. Lee. They have done so much for her, the class and this play. Finally, she’d like to thank her parents, for motivating her at all times.

Jose Walters (Cowardly Lion / Chimp - a flying monkey) is a hyper, almost 12 year-old who loves running around, splashing in water and books. He is also interested in cars and gaming and finds lots of ways to be very good at his games. He has performed in multiple plays at school and participated in a musical theater class outside of STTS. Jose recently got two kittens and loves throwing their toys for them.

Jose has a weird favorite color, black, but follows his dream even if people say anything about it. Jose thanks Mr. Myers, Mrs. Vasseur, Mrs. Lee, and Ms. Nichols. He thanks all of his classmates for being really good at making the props, scenery and working on the animating.

Jose would like to thank everyone and hopes you will sit back, and enjoy the show!!

Mae Williams (Dorothy / Red Narrator / Glinda) has been at STTS her whole life. She loves animals, especially horses and dogs.

She enjoys horseback riding. Mae’s favorite color is teal and she likes pineapple. In the past, Mae has played an owl, a sheep, her great grandmother, Paul Revere's dog and Echo. Mae would like to thank Ms. Nichols for organizing all the art work; Mr. Myers for helping everyone record and for organizing all the lines; Mrs. Lee of the music; Mrs. Vasseur for helping everyone fight through this and providing inspiration to keep going. Without her everyone would have been lost. Finally, Mae would like to thank her family and classmates for being there with her every step of the way.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE As you travel with us to the land of Oz ~ Let your brain imagine beyond what your eyes can see...

Let your heart be open to new possibilities...

Let your courage allow you to share deeply with one another in the radical welcome of this open and affirming community!

Like so many children, our Dorothies dream of what lies over the rainbow.

When a twister hits the farm and carries them to the merry old land of Oz, they clash with the Wicked Witch of the West and soon learn that “there’s no place like home.” Travel down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Tin Woodcutter, Cowardly Lion, and Toto as they meet many new friends on their search for the mysterious Wizard of Oz! Click your heels together for only the third time (2006, 2014, 2020) in the 80+ years since the iconic MGM film that The STTS Players bring to the stage (well, screen!) a new retelling of the much loved tale of Dorothy’s quest to find home. Frank Baum’s classic children’s story was first published in 1900, and was crafted as a modern fairy tale in which wonderment and joy are retained but heartache and nightmares are left out - well, mostly! The Wizard of Oz is a story of hope and resilience, and is one of the best known stories in Western culture - widely translated and reinterpreted. It celebrates a journey of triumph over adversity and a tale of friendship. Like all great entertainment, the story still resonates. We see ourselves in the characters and wish we possessed the powers, the brains, the heart, and the courage to make our own dreams come true.

Considering the current state of the universe you can’t really blame any one of us for wanting to escape to a magical world beyond the stars one without viruses, and hate, and racism. Oh, my!

Thanks to our outstanding cast, crew, colleagues, and families: you’re all…

OZ-SOME!. Thank you for building a better village with us.

We are truly stronger together. Yes, there’s no place as good as HOME! On with the show!

Andrew Myers Director / Dramaturg / Diva / Dad

SHOUT OUTS Congratulations to Thomas and the Class of 2020!

We are so proud of you and the wonderful play.

Class of 2020, what great performers you are!

We are so proud of all of your hard work!

The Williams Family Class of 2020, you are living through some not so easy times in the world’s history and still not letting it slow you down, a big hurrah!!! for all of you and your great teachers.

What a wonderful performance, you make us proud.

Bindu Lal, Ash Pathak, Maanya Pathak Jose, I am so excited to see how your production turns out! This was a great opportunity for you to practice singing and performing, both activities you love. I know it will be amazing!

Love, Mom

Olivia and the St Thomas’s class of 2020, We are extremely proud of the way each and every one of you has carried and conducted yourselves given the challenges of your Grade 6 spring. You have rolled with the punches and have amazingly adapted to ensure that the show will go on. The lessons you have learned this year will serve you well for the rest of your lives. You have taken the lemons given to you and made lemonade...congratulations! ~ Heather and Greg Mokotoff We love you so much, Jude!

You're the best Toto ever. xoxoxo

Cara Tosca, We are incredibly proud of you for working hard and putting together this re-imagined version of the play. We look forward to seeing the Scarecrow come to life!

Your time at STTS is drawing to a close, we have loved every minute of it, and you even more!

Mamma & Babbo

Tyler, You are our singing star - shining as bright with your golden voice! We are all so proud of you and of all of your accomplishments!

Love, Mom, Dad & Brendan Congratulations 6th Graders, You found new and creative ways to make the 6th Grade play innovative and wonderful!!

Micah, you were amazing at showcasing your talents as the Wicked Witch!!

The Betts Family We love you Quinby!!

We are so lucky to be your parents. We’ve enjoyed your dramatic side since 2008 and hope we don’t cry too much listening to you sing. Congratulations to all of you on your hard work!!

Mom, Dad and Benjamin Dear Cora-ner: We must aver we are thoroughly excited to see you in this most sincerely original version of the WWofO! Love, Mom and Dad

SHOUT OUTS To the StTs class of 2020: We’ve been anticipating this production since your first performance at the Thanksgiving feast in Kindergarten! Congratulations on putting your own special twists into the performance!

From: Lise Thomas and Ben Turk Congratulations to the STTS Class of 2020 on a beautiful job with your animated play!

Marlon, we are so proud of all the hard work you've put into the drawing and animation.

Love, Mama, Daddy, Amir, Rufus, & Daisy Veronica, in every play from Kindergarten to sixth grade, you have been shining like a star!

Mom, Dad and your brothers are very proud of you.

Hats off to the class of 2020!

Maeve – Ya never basic.

We love your thirst for knowledge, your charm and your arm.

You’ve taken that running leap and learned to fly!

Mom, Dad and Soph.

Livy, our love, and our Aunty Em, We are extremely proud of you, and all the hard work you have put into creating the 6th grade “virtual” play.

Congratulations on a job well done!!

Love, Mom, Dad, Jackson, and Samantha

Jack, we are so proud of you! You’re definitely not in Kansas anymore, but you have shined throughout this whole crazy time!

Just remember, change is an adventure!

Rosie, you are amazing! We are so proud of you. Bertie has asked us to tell you that he would like to go with you on the yellow brick road. Xoxoxoxoxoxox!!

We are so lucky God gave us you, Ben. You keep us laughing, thinking, and growing. We could not be prouder!

Love always, Mom & Dad Bravo 6th graders! What a production! It has been a joy to share the STTS journey with you and your families these many years.

You are an extraordinary group of young people.

Oh the places you’ll go! ~ The Partridges

Rocco, Congratulations!

We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to the entire Class of 2020!

Thank you St. T’s! ~ The DeMaio Family