Alexander Children's Theatre School
Takes a Tornado to Oz 
Reprinted from the January issue of New England Entertainment Digest

Nearly 50 Students from throughout the Metrowest & Boston areas have joined forces to take a tornado to Oz in "The Wiz," running January 12 & 13 at the Sorenson Center, Babson College.  Call (781) 899-4467 for tickets, or visit www.mktix.com.

WELLESLEY, MA: “Ease on Down” to Babson’s Sorenson Center on January 12 and 13 to catch the Alexander Children’s Theatre School’s production of The Wiz.  A 49-member company of kids ages 9 to 18 are riding the tornado to Oz for this soulful, energetic rendition of the classic The Wizard of Oz, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F. Brown.

JulieAnn Govang of Ayer directs. “My first show with ACTS was Cabaret, working with just the teens.  This time around, I’ve got the whole kit’n kaboodle and it has been great.  The kids are very enthusiastic and eager to learn.  Everyone gets along famously, too - I really couldn’t ask for more.”  Govang is joined by music director Rick Kaydas, with choreography by ACTS students Angela Powell, Caitlin Labadini and alumni Eleni Kmiec.

14-year-old Danielle Frampton is enjoying her first ACTS experience.  “I enjoy that everyone is so easy to get along with. This is my first show and I've already made many friends.”

Based on The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The story is the same as that which we all know by heart. Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are blown by a tornado into Munchkinland where she meets the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and a variety of witches, not to mention a vast assortment of foreign personalities, who all help her ease on down the yellow brick road on a quest to find her way home.  The friends go to ‘The Wiz’ for assistance, but The Wiz turns out to be a phoney.  During their journey, however, everyone realizes they already possess everything they need to find happiness.

Featured in the cast are Annalee Mulhall (Dorothy), Eric Stengrevics (Scarecrow), Brian Hoefling (Tinman), Paul Kmiec (Lion), Louisa McBride (Toto), Danielle Frampton (Addaperle), Kristen Houpt (Evillene), Angela Powell (Glinda), Mariagrazia LaFauci (The Wiz), Amy Olson (Aunt Em) and James Forbes Sheehan (Uncle Henry).  Also in the ensemble are Brooke Allen, Melissa Allen, Meghan Berger, Chris Burgess, Miranda Cashman, Jessie Cass, Jen Dudley, Terilyn Eisenhauer, Nicholas Faville, Sarah Feldman, Jenna Gainsboro, Mercer Gary, Ilana Gensler, Christopher Govang, Peter Harrington, Julia Hoffman, Ryan Hussey, Kassie Kelly, Kara L'Heureux, Caitlin Labadini, Sylvia Lorenzini, Erica Lundin, Dylan MacDonald, Jacqui and Stephanie Malis, Kathryn Najarian, David Nicholson, Heidi Novack, Hilary Powell, J.P. Roby, Michael Scheinbart, Julia Sheehan, Alissa Shulman, Kerry Teman, Andrea Tempesta, Annie Warzecha, Maggie and Tricia Whitlock, and Joanna Yelen.

Govang continues, “I try to challenge the kids.   Yeah - it’s a story everyone knows and there are a lot of presumptions that you can just phone it in - but I can’t let the cast do that!  What would they gain?  I want them to try NEW things and learn by having fun experimenting.”

14-year-old Sylvia Lorenzini is celebrating her ninth show with ACTS.  She describes, “As a munchkin I had to learn how to walk and talk as my character (which I had never done before). This experience helped me learn how to always be committed to my characters actions even when I mess up!”

Of ACTS, 16-year-old, seven-ACTS show veteran Mariagrazia LaFauci says, “ACTS   has been my gateway into musical theater. It has introduced me to the kind of people who are so talented that you feel blessed just to have been able to meet them. Better yet, I've gained a set of friends who encourage me in everything I do.”

Some kids have multiple roles in the production, such as 17-year-old Angela Powell, “I love Glinda because I get two beautiful songs as well as some nice acting.  On top of that, I get to dance in several numbers, and sing supporting vocals as a “Supreme” in many of the songs. I really feel involved throughout the entire show.”  The Wiz will be Powell’s third ACTS production, which she also helped choreograph.

The Wiz plays the Sorenson Center at Babson College January 12 and 13 at 7:30pm, with a matinee January 13 at 2:00pm.  For tickets, call (781) 899-4467 or visit www.mktix.com.

Peter Harrington, Melissa Allen & Christopher Govang

Kathryn Najarian, J.P. Roby & Erica Lundin

Brian Hoefling

J.P. Roby

Stephanie Malis, Jenna Gainsboro, Meghan Berger, Maggie Whitlock, Kara L'Heureux & Annie Warzecha

Tricia Whitlock

Michael Scheinbart

Ms. Hoffman & Julia Hoffman

Tricia Whitlock

Jen Dudley

Christopher Govang & Michael Scheinbart

James Forbes Sheehan

Angela Powell (w/Meghan Berger in the background)

Annie Warzecha, Brooke Allen & Sarah Feldman

Sylvia Lorenzini

Julia Sheehan

Eric Stengrevics & Brian Hoefling

Kara L'Heureux

Miranda Cashman & Maggie Whitlock

Michael Scheinbart, David Nicholson, Peter Harrington, James Forbes Sheehan, Chris Burgess, Christopher Govang, Nicholas Faville & J.P. Roby

Paul Kmiec & Mrs. Lundin

Annie Warzecha, Melissa Allen & Maggie Whitlock

Brooke Allen & Heidi Novak

Brian Hoefling

Terilyn Eisenhauer, Meghan Berger, Alissa Schulman & Hilary Powell

Ozians in the rehearsal hall.

Danielle Frampton & Mariagrazia LaFauci

Ozians in the rehearsal hall.

Joanna Yelen, Terilyn Eisenhauer, Meghan Berger, Alissa Schulman, Hilary Powell & Sylvia Lorenzini

Brooke Allen

Dylan MacDonald, Maggie Whitlock & Kara L'Heureux

Melissa Allen & Maggie Whitlock

Heidi Novak

Maggie Whitlock

Michael Scheinbart, David Nicholson, Peter Harrington, James Forbes Sheehan, Chris Burgess, Christopher Govang, Nicholas Faville & J.P. Roby

Sarah Feldman

Kristen Houpt & Ms. Lundin

Ms. Hoffman & Dylan MacDonald

JulieAnn Govang

Kelly Church & Philana Gnatowski

Brooke Allen

Jen Dudley & Kassie Kelly

JulieAnn Govang, Eric Stengrevics & Ms. Lundin

Maggie Whitlock & Sarah Feldman

Louisa McBride

Kara L'Heureux, Julia Sheehan & Maggie Whitlock

Jenna Gainsboro & Miranda Cashman

Sylvia Lorenzini

Heidi Novak & Maggie Whitlock

Mariagrazia LaFauci & JulieAnn Govang

Sarah Feldman

Jessi Cass

Do you have Wiz photos?  Send them in so we can include them!