Williamsville East students will follow the yellow brick road in 'THE WIZ'
JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Dave Rundell, who plays the Scarecrow, acts out a scene from The Wiz with fellow actors Dan Milidona, the Lion, and Michael Dentico, the Tin Man. Photo by John Rusac Purchase photos at www.BeeNews.com

A tornado will whirl students and audience members to the land of Oz in this weekend's performance of "The Wiz" at Williamsville East High School.

The musical will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Feb. 1 through 3 and also at 2 p.m. Saturday at the school, 151 Paradise Road, East Amher st.

The tale will be told of Dorothy, who magically finds herself in the land of Oz, trying to escape the evil witch, Evillene, and wanting to go home to Aunt Em.

Dorothy, who is played by senior Elisia Francani, is being pressured by Aunt Em to settle down and get mar r ied.

"She's really saucy," s o p h o m o re Laura T irabassi said of her Aunt Em c haracter. "She has an attitude and a c c i d e n t ly hur ts Dorot hy's fe e l i n g s ."

T irabassi sings her rendition of "The Feeling That We Have" and attempts to smooth the air between the two character s.

Elisia Francani, a senior, who plays Dorothy in "The Wiz" is being lectured by Evillene, portrayed by senior Liz Hamsher.

"Put your arms around me child, like when you bumped your shin. Then you'll know I love you now, as I loved you then," she sings.

Once the twister brings Dorothy to the land of Oz, Francani meets three friends, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, who accompany her along the way to see the Wiz.

The Scarecrow, portrayed by junior Dave Rundell, is in search of a brain and sings "You Can't Win," a song about the troubles of his life. He and Dorothy then sing "Ease on Down the Road" as they venture toward Oz.

Along the way, the duo meets the Tin Man, played by ninth-grader Michael Dentico.

"It was really surprising," Dentico said of being cast in the part. "Freshmen don't usually get parts."

When he first appears on stage, the rusty Tin Man is screaming for oil after years of being immobile.

"It's a very interesting character," Dentico said. "He's stiff at first and gets smoother and smoother," as he sings "Slide Some Oil to Me." He wants to see the Wiz because he was made without a heart.

Scarecrow, Tin Man and Dorothy continue down the road to Oz, where they meet a ferocious Lion, Dan Milidona.

The senior enters the scene seeming like a bully, singing "I'm a Mean Ole Lion," but ultimately reveals he has no courage.

Together the foursome follow the road to Oz and encounter the evil witch, Evillene, portrayed by senior Liz Hamsher, who said her character really is evil. She doesn't appear until the second act, but her character is nasty, she said.

"It's fun. It's different than the 'Wizard of Oz,'" Hamsher said. "It's really soulful and jazzy."

The plot thickens as they try to escape the grasp of Evillene to arrive at their destination to ask the Wiz for a brain, a heart, courage and a trip back home.

Francani said her favorite scene is the finale song, "Home."

"Everyone is on stage," she said. "I feel it (the song lyrics), and I love that. It is an irreplaceable feeling."

For tickets or information, call 626-8400.

WHEN:
      7:30 p.m.
      Thursday through Saturday 
      Feb. 1 -3 & 
      2:00 p.m.
      Saturday,
      Feb. 3 
WHERE:
      Wi l l i a m s v i l l e
      East
      High School 
      auditorium
      151 Paradise
      Road 
TICKETS:
      For tickets 
      or info, call
      626-8400