Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum, With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg

A musical retelling of everyone’s favorite classic movie. Follow Dorothy down the yellow brick road and beyond! Directed by Tim Kennedy

March 15th – April 7th –  Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2:30 at Center Stage

Tim Kennedy (Director) – Timothy Kennedy is thrilled to be directing for Ovation West again after having helmed the productions of Funny Girl, Hunchback of Notre Dame, My Fair Lady, Chicago, and Kiss Me Kate. As a Colorado-basedstage director, choral conductor, music director, performer, playwright and teaching artist, Kennedy had directed on the stages of Candlelight, Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, Evergreen Players, and Loveland Opera in Colorado as well as Pensacola Opera, New Opera Festival di Roma, Louisiana State University, and University of West Florida. As a performer, he has been seen on the stages and in the concert halls of the Colorado Symphony, Candlelight, Southern Colorado Repertory Theater, Vintage Theater, Town Hall Arts Center, Performance Now, Equinox Theater, Amarillo Symphony, Graz Music Festival, Linz Choral Festival, Shreveport Summer Music Festival, Pensacola Opera, Natchez Opera, and Mobile Opera.

 The Cast

Kayleigh Bernier (Dorothy) – Kayleigh Bernier is thrilled to make her Ovation West Theatre Company Debut playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz! Her favorite credits include Woman 2 in Putting it Together (Town Hall Arts Center), Laurey in Oklahoma! (Lakewood Cultural Center), Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense (Inspire Theatre Company), Debbie in The Wedding Singer (Town Hall Arts Center), as well as featured roles in Memphis (Town Hall Arts Center) and 9 to 5 the Musical (PACE, Inspire Theatre Company). She can’t wait to see where the yellow brick road takes her!

 Tracy Denver (Aunt Em/Glinda) – Tracy’s last show took her to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival, where she had the privilege to walk the Royal Mile every day to get to her show venue and create theatre magic with talented performers for two weeks in Scotland!  She is thrilled to return to Center Stage for this production and to create new magic as Glinda in the wonderful World of Oz.  This show is made even more special by the fact that she will have the rare opportunity to share the stage with her daughter, who will be part of Munchkinland! 

Wilson Hettinger (Hickory/Tin Man) – Wilson Hettinger is very excited to be making his Ovation West Theatre Company Debut debut to be playing the heartless Tin Man/Hickory! Some of his favorite credits include Pippin  (Pippin), The Baker (Into the Woods), and Silvio (Servant of Two Masters). Wilson is most excited for his students to see this show as it is one that is near and dear to their hearts. 

Ryan Glaser (Uncle Henry/Guard) – Ryan is delighted to be stepping out from behind the soundboard and onto the stage for the first time with Ovation West. He was most recently seen in Evergreen Player’s critically acclaimed production of The Old Man and The Old Moon, playing multiple roles and instruments, as well as handling sound and set design. Thank you for supporting local theatre!

 Stephen Krock (Hunk/Scarecrow) – Stephen is beyond excited to make his stage debut in Colorado with Ovation West after recently moving across the country to be with his loving partner, Ryan. He has performed on many stages in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Previous roles include: Jimmy Ray (Bright Star), Pippin (Pippin), Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Tobias (Sweeney Todd).

Trish Maggio (Professor/Wizard) – Trish has been actively performing professionally since 1976 in both Colorado and Florida.  She mainly can be seen in musicals!

Anna Piper (Zeke/Cowardly Lion) – Anna Piper, 25, is thrilled to join Ovation West again for another magnificent show! In school, Anna majored in Music Theatre and currently works as a professional music theatre and opera performer throughout Colorado. Previous roles include: Cinderella in Into The Woods (Ovation West), Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof (Ovation West), U/S Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte (Loveland Opera Theatre), and Jean MacLaren in Brigadoon (Loveland Opera Theatre). She has also performed with the Honors Choir at Carnegie Hall, as well as with the Rodgers and Hammerstein Jubilee and the Broadway Classics Concert with Loveland Opera Theatre. She also sings with Opera on Tap Colorado when her schedule allows. When she isn’t performing, she loves to ride her two horses, read comics, play video games, and draw.

Collette Simkins (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch) – Collette Simkins is making her Ovation West debut but has been seen around Denver most recently as Jacques in As You Like It (Foothills Theatre) and Fabian in Twelfth Night (Three Leaches). She graduated from Catawba College with a BA in Theatre Arts, focusing on dramaturgy and international politics. When she isn’t on stage, Collette teaches theatre and visual art at Denver’s West High School and runs a very cool after-school Dungeons & Dragons club.

Ensemble 

Kevin Atkinson – Born and raised in the mountains of Evergreen, Kevin is excited to be returning to Center Stage for Wizard of Oz. He has been in four Ovation West productions  including the captivating Fiddler on The Roof. Beyond the stage, Kevin channels his creativity volunteering as a video director at his church – and by day, he works in the financial world as a credit analyst at FirstBank.

Laurie Atkinson – Laurie has been a member of the Evergreen Chorale and Ovation West for over 30 years and is still having a blast. Some of her favorite places are on the summit of the Colorado peaks, winding through the trees on the ski slopes, and performing at Center Stage in Evergreen.

Alexandra Brown  –  Alexandra Rose Brown is thrilled to be once again performing with Ovation West in the Wizard of Oz! Previous Ovation productions include Into the Woods, Lend Me a Tenor, Funny Girl, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Chicago.  She would like to thank her family for their love and support! 

Carole Callaghan- Carole recently got back into acting after a thirty year hiatus. In the fall of 2023, Carole played the roles of Granny and the Giantess in Ovation West Performing Arts’ production of Into the Woods, and she is beyond thrilled to be in another OWPA production.  In addition, Carole is a member of the Evergreen Chorale, and serves as the President of Ovation West Performing Arts. 

 David Cameron (Hickory/Tin Man Understudy, Winkie General) – David is delighted to be performing again for the first time in over two years, and more so with such a gifted group of artists on stage and off. Past roles include Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Eddie Ryan in Funny Girl, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, and Peter in Company. He sends all his thanks and love to the community of Evergreen for its continued support of such a wonderful organization as Ovation West.

Ruth Hund -Ruth is thrilled to be in the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz.  This is her second musical theatre appearance as an adult. She is a member of Ovation West’s Evergreen Chorale and chamber choir, Altezza. Ruth is an environmental activist and sprint triathlete. She enjoys hiking, reading, and learning French and Spanish.

Chelsea Jipping – Chelsea Jipping is thrilled to be part of The Wizard of Oz ensemble and brings with her a rich history of musical training and musical theatre experiences from her youth. Originating from central Ohio, Chelsea, along with her husband and two sons, has been a resident of Evergreen for two years. This performance will mark her inaugural appearance as an adult performer. Beyond the stage, Chelsea’s interests extend to hiking, travel, and exploring diverse culinary experiences.

Gabrielle Knopp (Hunk/Scarecrow Understudy, Mayor/Adult Munchkin) – Gabrielle (Gabby) is thrilled to be starting her first show with Ovation West! By day she works as a medical assistant and is currently applying for school to become a Physician Assistant. In her free time you can find her hiking/backpacking, rock climbing, baking, or watching Star Wars. Theatre has been a passion of Gabby’s since middle school, but she didn’t have the time to continue it in college. She’s super excited to have the opportunity to be back and dabble in the Colorado theatre scene!

Kim Lancaster (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch Understudy, Professor/Wizard Understudy) – Kim Lancaster is thrilled to be joining the Ovation West family for the Wizard of Oz. Some of her favorite past roles include Marmee in Little Women, Morticia Addams in The Addams Family, Kate in Kiss Me, Kate, Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, and Nettie Fowler in Carousel. Kim lives in Erie with her partner, her son, her partner’s two kids, her sweet old cat, and the cutest junkyard dog you ever saw. In the daylight hours, Kim is a K12 school principal and a private flute and voice instructor.

Bobbie Renee Lewis (Toto Puppeteer) – Bobbie Renee graduated from AASU (Savannah, GA) with a BA in Theatre Performance and has had the wonderful opportunity to take the stage all across The Low Country. Since arriving in Colorado she has been able to devote her career solely to performing as well as mentoring, teaching, and directing the upcoming generation of performers. She is so thankful and excited to make her debut with Ovation West. A few of her favorite roles include: Pickles (Trailer Park), Harry Potter, Myrtle, and Bippy (Puffs), and Agnes (She Kills Monsters). Big comedic characters, world building, and stage movement are probably Bobbie Renee’s favorite things to explore. She’d like to take the time to thank her husband for being her biggest supporter even with her method tendencies.

Paige Lindquist – Paige Lindquist is excited to be making her debut with Ovation West. Paige grew up performing with Opera Colorado and The Colorado Children’s Chorale before moving to New York City where she performed and worked at the Streb Extreme Action Company and Gallery Players. Other favorite shows include Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Dames at Sea (Joan) and Grease (Rizzo).

Mandy Newkirk (Toto Puppeteer Understudy, Coroner/Adult Munchkin) – Mandy Newkirk is delighted to be part of Ovation West’s The Wizard of Oz! Mandy is an Evergreen native with a theatre background of 15+ years, with favorite roles including Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, The Witch in Into the Woods, and Beth in Little Women. She thanks you for your support of local theatre!

Savannah Poor (Dorothy Understudy) – Savannah is thrilled to be in her first show with Ovation West! Originally from Texas, she is new to Colorado and has been loving every minute of it. You can normally see her working at an iconic Colorado landmark that happens to have a large pink tower and unlimited sopapillas.

Muchkins

Raelyn Denver (Performing Swing Munchkin) – Raelyn is thrilled to be cast in her first professional production and to appear in the land of Oz as part of the children’s ensemble!  You can also find her on stage performing as the character ‘Crutchie’ in the musical, Newsies with Rocky Mountain Youth Musicals.  She is excited for the opportunity to learn two shows at the same time, as she loves all things theatre.  This is Raelyn’s first trip down the yellow brick road and she hopes to see you during the run of the show!

Emmalyn Garces (Tot Munchkin) –  Emmalyn Garces is a 5th grader at a Performing Arts School. This is her 7th production (and counting). She most recently was seen playing the role of Lavender in Roald Dahl’s Matilda (Town Hall Arts Center). She is excited and thankful to be a part of the Ovation West theatre community.

Victoria Garces (Tough Munchkin) – Victoria Garces is a high school freshman. She has been a part of 19 productions so far with some of her favorite stage credits as Ms. Honey in Matilda Jr. (Sasquatch Productions) and Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins Jr. (Parker Performing Arts School). She is honored and thankful to be a part of the Ovation West family.

Alexandra Hagar (Tough Munchkin) – Alex is passionate about performing and has been participating in musical theater for the last six years. She is a 7th grader at Evergreen Middle School and plays the violin (3 yrs) and piano (7 yrs). Her recent credits include Matilda (Hortensia) at the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center and Mary Poppins (Jane Banks) at the Long Lake Performing Arts Camp. In her spare time she enjoys creative writing, art, seeing friends, and of course, watching Broadway musicals. Alex would like to thank Ovation West for this opportunity. She is grateful for all of the support from her teachers, mentors, family and friends!

Ellie Miera (Tough Munchkin) – Ellianna (Ellie) is thrilled to be joining Ovation West for her first time in this production of The Wizard of Oz! A 6th grader at Parker Performing Arts, Ellie’s love for theater blossomed early in the first grade, with her first role as Molly in Annie Kids. She has since enjoyed many roles- including as the barrister munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and Lavender in Matilda Jr. with Sasquatch Productions at Parker Arts, a swing in Matilda with Town Hall Arts Center, and Jane in Mary Poppins as well as Alice in Matilda Jr. at Parker Performing Arts and many more. Ellie would like to thank God for her talents and passion, her Mom and sister for their unending support, Ovation West for this opportunity, and her friends and extended family for always showing up to support her.

Lydia Padron (Tot Munchkin) – Living with Lydia is like being on the set of High School Musical The Musical The Series. But, in this version, she gets to play all of the parts: dancer, singer, and costume designer. Lydia has been gracing the stage since third grade. Since then, she’s been Rosie in Mama Mia, Bonnie in Come from Away, a lead rat in RATS! (The Musical), Timon in The Lion King, the chief ancestor in Moana, and Mirabel in Encanto. Lydia is thrilled to be a part of this production.

Olivia Thomas (Tot Munchkin) – Olivia Thomas is 11 years old. She likes skiing, playing soccer, and acting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vince Padron (Adult Ensemble)