Ridge orchestra accompanies nostalgic musical
Bergthorson Academy of Music put on a family-friendly classic at The ACT
Madison Deroche (left) portrays the cowardly lion, Ali Watson is in the main role of Dorothy, Laura Dand is wielding an axe as the tin man, and Faith Shulman is stuffed with straw as the scarecrow.
Photograph by: Maria Rantanen , TIMES
Since 1939, the movie version of The Wizard of Oz has been entertaining generations of families.
So, largely for nostalgic reasons, a local production, put on by the Bergthorson Academy of Music and directed by one of its instructors, Rayne Beveridge, will stick close to its cinematic counterpart.
"We're trying to stay as true to the types of characters you saw in the movie," Beveridge said about the musical theatre production set to open this Friday.
The Wizard of Oz will be showing at The ACT this weekend, with the familiar characters of Dorothy and her ruby slippers, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow.
They will be joined on stage by a cast of good and evil characters, witches and munchkins, and of course, the wizard who helps Dorothy get home to Kansas after her adventures in Oz.
Beveridge dubbed the musical a "family-friendly show," that will appeal to the multitude of people who have seen the movie starring Judy Garland.
In addition to colourful costumes and a live orchestra, at least one parent has helped put together elaborate sets, despite a low budget.
Marc Deroche built a 16-foothigh balloon and a house - six feet by six feet - that spins in the tornado.
This is the third musical put on by Bergthorson that incorporates the recently formed Ridge Meadows Orchestra.
The orchestra performed during productions of Iolanthe and Spamalot.
The orchestra has expanded to 24 pieces, and in this production will include four violins, a viola, four cellos, a French horn, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, flutes, and percussion.
Beveridge also conducts the orchestra - at the same time as he's studying conducting at Kwantlen University.
The orchestra has been in existence for more than a year and Beveridge said it is becoming a "more and more solid group."
He hopes next year the orchestra will be ready to perform a full concert.
The musical theatre performance of The Wizard of Oz is also a partnership with The ACT, which helps promote the performances and provides space for the performance.
The Wizard of Oz will be on the main stage of The ACT on this Friday and Saturday.
Performances are on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The musical will be performed in concert Jonathan Reichert and the Ridge Meadows Orchestra. Tickets are $12 in advance, four for $40, or $15 at the door.
Tickets can be bought by calling 604-4762787, by going to www. theactmapleridge.org, or by going to the box office at The ACT in person.
Madison Deroche (left) portrays the cowardly lion, Ali Watson is in the main role of Dorothy, Laura Dand is wielding an axe as the tin man, and Faith Shulman is stuffed with straw as the scarecrow.
Photograph by: Maria Rantanen , TIMES
More Photo Galleries
