Sing Hosanna! brings classic tale of 'Oz' to stage

By Connie Pilston Shoemaker

Eagle Correspondent

BUTLER TWP — Sing Hosanna! tackles Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz."

But this casting has a unique twist. Dorothy and the Wicked Witch are mother and daughter in real life.

Jordan Rose Luntz, a sixth grader at Knoch Middle School, loses her strings from playing Pinocchio in a past production and trades them for Toto as she plays Dorothy.

"Dorothy is my dream role. I auditioned specifically for her," the young Luntz said.

Her mother, Rose Luntz, auditioned on a whim, not for a moment thinking she'd land the role of the Wicked Witch, which has been entertaining for the pair.

"I love working with my daughter, Jordan," Luntz said. "It's not really any different than what goes on in our everyday life together. I even use some of the same names for her, such as 'miss mouth.'

"I'm always trying to tell her what to do, but she is never listening," she added, then laughed.

Jordan is no stranger to the stage and has appeared in numerous local shows as well as singing at various venues. But for her mother, this experience has been a challenge.

"Memorizing my lines takes more work than I thought it would," said Luntz, who is staying true to the character but being a bit more comical and sarcastic than the movie version of the witch.

Eric Snyder of Butler Township takes on the role of the Tin Man. Not only is he playing the role, but he also is making his own costume.

"I wanted a costume that looked like the character and allowed me to move as freely as possible," Snyder said. "I have a quick costume change at the end of Act II, so I need something that I can get out of quickly."

The Tin Man's costume is one of the most challenging in the stage show.

"I worked hard to keep the glare down. Some Tin Man costumes are just a blinding distraction under stage lights," he said.

One of his partners in crime, the Cowardly Lion, will be played by Scott Shearer of Winfield Township. Shearer is finding the role fun and the paws of the original Bert Lahr tough ones to fill.

"Bert Lahr is tough as he is such a professional comedian and so over the top," Shearer said. "I have had a lot of fun with this role and have had many good comments. I think that I will do Bert and the lion justice as I bring a lot of energy to this character."

Nathan Rockcastle of Butler Township rounds out the trio as the Scarecrow.

"I am trying to take the majority of the personality of the role directly from what I've seen in the film," Rockcastle said.

"Probably the biggest challenge that I have faced in preparing for it is knowing that there will be a certain expectation that the audience will have for all the characters," he said about what drives him to perfect the role.

The trio and Dorothy will be seeking the wisdom of the Wizard of Oz, played by Dave Fox of Butler Township. Fox last appeared with Sing Hosanna! in "The Sound of Music."

When Fox auditioned, he wanted the wizard role.

"I am staying true to the character and what the audience will expect," Fox said. "My favorite scene is where my character awards the Diploma, The Medal and The Testimonial (Heart).

"The most challenging part of this character has been memorizing the long monologues."

It is prudent to note that the movie version and the stage version differ in several ways. There are songs and scenes in the musical that do not appear in the movie, and Fox notes the Wizard is not hidden behind the curtain. Jitterbugs also are an addition to the show compared to the screen play.

The show is under the direction of Ralph Christy Jr.

<B>WHAT: </B>Sing Hosanna! presents "The Wizard of Oz"<B>WHEN: </B>7:30 p.m. March 26 and 27; 2 p.m. March 28<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theatre at Butler County Community College<B>TICKETS: </B>$10 for children 10 and younger; $15 for people 11 and older; available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., Butler<B>INFO:</B> 724-287-8362