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A Message from the Producers
ontemplating the passage of time with our children‟s theatre is both rewarding and alarming. Rewarding to see so many young and shy performers become incredibly talented actors. Alarming because seven years have passed in the blink of an eye. We have loved bringing children‟s theatre to Cedartown, Georgia. The performances reflect talent. We started this theatre with high expectations: We expected our shows to be crisp, well performed, articulate, animated and excellent in every way, including props, drops, orchestra, costumes and stage sets. Mission accomplished. Our previous shows have included Treasure Island, Annie, The Sound of Music, Seussical the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and A Christmas Carol. Each show has been selected for the story line and message it brings as well as the number of roles available. We are now proud to bring The Wizard of Oz to Cedartown. Every show has involved more and more performers. Our first show had 35 performers and for tonight‟s show, you will witness 84 performing artists on stage! The performing arts present such a great learning experience. Performing in front of hundreds and hundreds of people per show represents an incredible accomplishment. To do so well reflects dedication, determination and commitment from these young performers. These shows could not happen without the involvement of many people: our young actors, advertisers, parents, grandparents and backstage helpers and crew. It‟s a complete family affair! We thank the Cedartown City Commission for recognizing the value of children‟s theatre and accommodating our requests. We thank the Cedartown Civic Auditorium Commission for their constant help, patience and assistance. Our volunteer orchestra who practice diligently to bring you this show, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The entire family at Parker and Lundy has worked hard on our show. Our paralegals, Julianna and Jesse and Leila, and Carol Aaron, our receptionist, and Brittany Stephens (a brilliant concert violinist). They wear all hats throughout the summer and serve our
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cannot believe that The Wizard of Oz is the seventh production that we have staged with the Cedartown Theatrical Performers‟ Company! Bill, Catharine and I are honored that local students and their parents continue join us as we bring these classic stories to life on stage. Since we started our company with Treasure Island in 2005, some of our actors have gone on to major in Film, Drama, Dance or Theater in college, and a few are pursuing their dreams of a life in professional theater. Many others have completed their education in other fields, but are using the communication skills that they gained in our shows as they enter the workforce. We are so proud of them all, and we hope that we have touched their lives by sparking a passion for the arts. I am also impressed with the growth of our student actors that began with us as young children. Lee Lundy (Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, when he was eleven years old) has worked with Jessie Beck to choreograph – and to serve as the creative braintrust – for our entire show. I remember that Elizabeth Arencibia (Molly in Annie in 2006) asked us to produce The Wizard of Oz in 2007, so that she could play Dorothy. I‟m glad that Elizabeth continued to work with us, and very proud of the job she‟s done as Dorothy – even if we were four years late in taking her advice and choosing this show. The competition at auditions was fierce, but Elizabeth earned her role and has done a fantastic job. Cedartown‟s local businesses continue to support our productions. The businesses and individuals that purchase ads
clients as well as doing anything that needs doing with our children‟s theatre. Julianna also helped organize the orchestra and does an outstanding job. Carol Aaron sells t-shirts, tickets, has a beautiful daughter, Hannah, in our show, and does simply so many things to make this happen. Catharine and I especially wish to recognize our talented children, Lee, playing The Scarecrow, Will, playing the Cowardly Lion, and Spencer as The Tinman. One more summer we get to work with our children. Priceless. We thank God every single day for them. Our daughter, Laura, has always performed in the shows but is in law school now. She was a drama major at JSU with a near-perfect GPA and played college tennis for the Gamecocks. She has had the lead in three JSU shows. We give all glory and credit to our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we serve. We love the Lord and pray that all will become Christians and serve the Lord. This is the whole duty of man. We thank Leigh Ann Lundy, our every day rehearsal pianist and musical director. She is wonderful and talented beyond words. Her and Rick‟s little daughter, Grace Ann, is in our show this year. Thank you to everyone who helped with costumes. We thank Julie Andrews for her energy and creativity. Julie works so hard to make this a great show. She and Tab have an incredibly talented daughter in our show, Julieann. Julie and Tab, thank you so much. Thank you to Chuck Morris for his expertise in virtually all areas of theatre, and he‟s a great lawyer and juvenile court judge. A special thanks to Chuck‟s wife, Megan Keating, for all of her hard work in many areas of creating our program. Finally, we humbly thank you for buying a ticket and being here! Where would we be if you did not show up to encourage these performances? Well, we can tell you, your presence means everything to our young performers. Sit back and enjoy the show.
Bill Lundy & Catherine Lundy in this program provide financial support that makes our efforts possible. Additionally, the Cedartown Civic Auditorium continues to provide us with a performing arts center with the highest caliber technical capacity. We must thank David Thompson for all of his work this year, in supporting our show. During rehearsal, the greatest victories often come not with the finished products that we see on stage, but the emergence of our actors as they learn and grow throughout the summer. Leigh Ann Lundy provides expert musical instruction to our cast, and helps each actor learn to sing with confidence. Bill and Catherine Lundy bring energy and stability to each production. Their vision, dedication and patience has created an environment that allows us to create these memorable productions. My wife Megan Keating has generously given of her artistic talent – and dozens upon dozens of hours of her time – to again design our posters, flyers, tickets, and this program. I am grateful to Megan for putting such a professional public “face” on our company and each production, with her tireless and inspiring work. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife and family, and I appreciate the love and support that Megan and Grayson provide for me in all of my endeavors. Thanks for joining us for The Wizard of Oz. We hope you enjoy the show!
Chuck Morris