High School Drama Department Seeks Help to Launch The Wizard of Oz

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - Nov. 2, 2018 - PRLog -- Dorothy, Toto and the rest of the cast of the Wizard of Oz need your help.

AJHS' Drama Department will be performing the classic musical "The Wizard of Oz" with additional performers from Desert Vista Elementary and Peralta Trails Elementary, January 24 and 25, 2019 at 7 p.m. (with DVES) and Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive in Apache Junction, AZ.

The musical fantasy is considered one of the greatest films in cinema history and audiences look forward to the award-winning songs, costumes and special effects that have made it an American classic for decades.

"As you can imagine this will be a major undertaking and will be very expensive to produce," said Paul Lanphear from the AJHS Drama Department. "Since we receive limited funding to help cover the costs of putting on shows, it has been the responsibility of the Drama Department to find a way to cover the costs.  Our source of funding comes from ticket sales of previous productions as well as fundraising and donations.  In the past we have been able to break even on most shows by holding back on our expenditures.  However, because of the uniqueness of this particular show, we currently find ourselves short on funds.  Therefore, we are making a plea to the community to help us generate the $10,000-15,000 we need to do this show."

There are a number of ways you can help:

·         Cash donations, in the form of tax credits and tax deductions, would be the easiest way to contribute.  Any member of the community who gives a cash donation will be recognized in the show's program.  Any individual who donates a full tax credit ($200) specifically for the show will be given a free reserved seat for any one performance.  Any couple that makes a full tax credit donation ($400) will receive two free reserved seats for any one performance.

·         Those of you who own businesses and would like to purchase an ad in the program may do so by contacting the Drama Department.  Business card size ads are only $10 and will run 2 nights.

·         If you are able to donate items or your time to help us create the scenery, props and costumes for the show it could save us money.  We could really use some farm type props, emerald green clothing, bright flowered dresses & blouses, and gray military coats for the Winkie Guards.

o   Tickets for "The Wizard of Oz" can be purchased at the AJHS, DVES & PTES front offices, the AJUSD District Office or by contacting Paul Lanphear at (480)982-1110 x5317.

o   General Admission tickets:     $8.00/adults, $6.00/children (ages 3-18) and seniors (60+)

o   Reserved Seats:  $10.00/seat (all ages)

*All children requiring a seat will need to purchase a ticket.  Only lap-sitting infants (ages 0-2) will be admitted without a ticket.

The nights of the show from 5-6:30, the Drama Club will be serving a spaghetti dinner.  The cost will be $10/person.  Admission to the show is a separate ticket, but a section of the general house seating will be reserved for those at dinner to guarantee their seats.  If you would like to reserve a seat for dinner please contact Mr. Lanphear at AJHS.

"The Wizard of Oz" is based on the book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by Frank Baum. The music and lyrics for the version of the show AJHS will perform were written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.

Baum, who lived from 1856 to 1919, supported women's rights and his wife Maud, and mother-in-law, Matilda Gage, were leaders in the women's right movement and collaborated with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The referendum for women's suffrage that Baum supported was defeated, but when he began writing children's books, he made many of his main characters tenacious, self-reliant girls. American women gained the right to vote in 1920 when the 19^th Amendment was ratified, one year after Baum died.

For more information about AJHS' Drama Department contact Paul Lanphear at planphea@goaj.org or call 480-982-1110 x 5317.