After months of evening practices and line memorizing, the Big Sandy Community Theater presented two showings of Oz, with a surprise double feature of The Tortoise and the Hare 2: This Time It's Personal. The shows were staged at the Big Sandy Auditorium on Friday (the 3rd) at 7 and Saturday (the 4th) at 3. Both were well attended and garnered significant laughs and encouragement from the attendees.
Speaking to the directors and actors, the show was a smashing success. Despite some nervousness over the "gap year" created by the Covid lockdowns, the community response to auditions and the show didn't miss a beat over past years. Amanda Hoffman, one of the directors, explained: "This year's plays were amazing, the cast did awesome. When we picked the plays, we were not sure how many community members would be interested since we had to skip a year. We had more show up for auditions this year than we have had in the past, that is a great feeling. I love how the plays bring all ages together and build relationships within our community."
The strong community response is especially important to local productions, as the people involved are key to enjoying the experience: "My favorite part of our community plays is the absolutely fantastic group of people we get to hang out with for a couple months and during the long hours of performance week. It is so fun to see everyone's talents come together to hopefully present something entertaining and fun for the community. Although, I think we as the cast and crew get to have the most fun. It is also super fun to watch the stage talents our adults possess and watch the younger actors increase in confidence and stage presence and overcome fears and even enjoy performing and being in front of an audience."
Rich Jesperson, who played the Tin Man in this year's show, expressed particular appreciation for the directors that made the whole thing possible: "I am so impressed with Dianna Keane and Amanda Hoffman in their ability to select plays that a thoroughly amateur and mostly very young troupe can handle . Then they ably recruited and rehearsed a large and enthusiastic group of actors. Each year for the last 4 years, they have provided a wonderful experience for the actors and the community, always with a good, gracious, and supportive spirit. They are quality leaders!"
Amanda explained her favorite part of the experience: "My favorite part of these plays was watching the actors bring the characters to life." To hear the actors speak of the experience, the process of bringing the characters to life was the best part of the experience for them as well. For me, seeing the kids learn their lines, make the characters their own, and work so hard to put on a show was a huge reward. This was especially the case as I watched my Abbey play the snake in the Tortoise and the Hare 2. I didn't watch their rehearsals, so the show was fresh to me when I got to watch it from the wings. I am so proud of our kids. Probably my favorite part of the whole thing was the intermission bit that Rich, Jeramie, and myself had the joy of ad libbing. Dianna and Amanda came up with this crazy idea for pretending that we tied them up and put on a separate play. It was such a fun opportunity to goof off with friends. I am so blessed that this happens in our town.
Jeramie Erie, who played the cowardly Lion (with perfect comedic timing and energy!) Expressed his enjoyment: "The play was super fun. I loved playing the role of the Cowardly Lion! My favorite line was
probably: 'O Mighty Witch, please don't turn me into a newt!!' (Which he delivered with more than a little Monty Python flair -Erik) I just want to say thanks to Diana and Amanda for allowing me to be a part of it!" Stephanie Overbay, who played the Wicked Witch of the West raved: "I am incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to be in the community play 'OZ.' We are so lucky to have such amazing people behind the scenes planning and organizing everything to provide such a wonderful experience for everyone involved."
Elise Hartley, who did an amazing job the the starring role as Beth in OZ, shared her feelings on the production: "You ask if I liked the play? I didn't. I loved it! Getting to stand up on that stage and perform with all those other actors and actresses was such an honor. I also enjoyed the challenge of memorizing all those lines and getting to lift the heavy bar in the second play. I can't wait for next years production."
The play comes at exactly the right time for us as a community, as the weird time we are going through puts a strain on long running friendships and the holiday season roles in. Stephanie shared an experience she had on opening night, that demonstrates the value of community experiences like this one: "I personally heard from a couple who are currently going through a difficult experience, and they came to the play to support my family and to get a laugh. She thanked me for inviting her and her husband because it got her to smile and laugh again. Another gentleman messaged my husband after the play thanking him for the invite saying, 'Tell everyone in your family that I had a lot of fun tonight! They all did real good jobs! They made the world a happier place today, and they made me feel happy!' Everyone needs a good laugh and to feel joy and happiness."
Rich offered kind words and observations regarding the various performances: "Of particular note this year were the performances of Elise Hartely, Jeramie Erie, and Erik Sietsema. Elise was the lead actor in Oz and had lots of lines to learn and deliver, which she did flawlessly and with great dramatic effect. She is a gifted actor. Jeramie Erie, as the cowardly lion, and Erik Sietsema, as the empty-headed scarecrow, were lots of fun to work with and were simply hilarious in their parts, even though they were typecast in their roles. (LOL) Finally, a tip of the hat to all of the children who enthusiastically participated in this year's play. Well done, kids!"
Dianna offered many thanks to the various persons who made the production happen: "Our Oz crew was so great. Elise Hartley, Heather Sherbern, Jeramie Erie, Erik Sietsema, Rich Jespersen, and Stephanie Overbay had major parts and played them so well. Lots of comedic and supporting characters kept the play entertaining. Nathan Merrill, Sienna Butler, Astrid Ketchum, Kira Hoffman, James Yirsa, Eryn Hartley, Jaesun Yirsa, Wren Danreuther, and James Calvao were vital parts of the production." Regarding the Tortoise and the Hare 2, she praised "Warren Hartley, London Keane, Abbey Sietsema, and Lauri Silvan had lots of lines and delivered them so well. Kacey Weaver, Astrid Ketchum, Cassia Butler, Kennedy Keane, Issac Goodman, Bentley Parker, D'Aree Sunchild, Dajalin Sunchild, Mackenzie O'Dell, Davey Overbay, Heather Sherburn, T'Gan Ketchum, and Autumn Witmer were all various animals who worked hard on memorizing and delivering their lines. Our younger actors did double duty, acting in both plays as animal spectators and munchkins or flowers. Parker Yirsa, Titus Sietsema, Thea Merrill, Makenna Han, Ruth Erie, Chaz Danreuther, Bridger Keane, Georgia Silvan, Kirrwn Overbay, Paxton Yirsa, Belle Goodman, Aliyah Hoffman, Abby Yirsa, Lucy Yirsa, and Elliot Overbay did a wonderful job of acting in both plays."
For the unsung heroes behind the scenes, Dianna expressed special appreciation: "We were blessed with amazing artists who did our stage make-up this year. Sarah Sura, Marla Ray, Michelle Danreuther and Kayla Rodewald created beautiful stage and character make-up. Our incredible back stage crew changed backgrounds and did a ton of behind the scenes work. Amaya Edwards, Wren Danreuther, Tom Arnold, Kingston Johnson, Dajalin Sunchild, and Elise Hartley were part of that group. We also could not have done the performance without Chase Hoffman doing all the lighting and sound, Michelle Danreuther helping with the props, Bryanna Goodman doing photography and crowd control, Nathan Keane doing videography, Petra Yirsa and Heather Dilworth taking care of concessions and Donna Upham helping with ticket sales and clean up. We would also like to thank Big Sandy High School, the Big Sandy Mountaineer, Hill County Printing, Kracklin' Kamut, and all the parents of the cast and crew. We really couldn't have done it without you." She also expressed appreciation to Prairie Blossom Floral for donating all the flowers for the play.
Dianna offered her assessment of the success of the endeavor: "I had numerous cast and crew ask when our next play is happening, and I think that is a measure of success. We are all already excited for our next performance which will hopefully be next year. Thanks to the generous community support through ticket sales, concessions, and donations we brought in enough to money to produce another production next year. The show must go on!"
