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Counterpoint:

By Eleanor Schaffner-Mosh
 

Community Theatre of Greensboro’s “The Wizard of Oz” still is bringing our community together after 15 years
As News & Record readers know, during 2009-2010 CTG is celebrating a “season of milestones.” This year marks the 60th year “bringing our diverse community together to learn about, experience and celebrate the joys of theatre.”

It also marks Executive Director Mitchel Sommers’ 20th anniversary with the organization and CTG’s 15th annual production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Over the past 15 years, more than 1,500 volunteers have served in the cast or crew, and nearly 150,000 people have seen a performance.

My daughter was part of the Wizard cast for six years, and I’ve seen the production at least 20 times since 2002. You could call me a “Wizard groupie.”

But the “Wizard magic” was brought home again this past weekend, when one friend brought her 2-year-old son to the Saturday matinee and a neighbor brought her 6-year-old grandson to Sunday’s performance. Both boys were swept up in the enchantment of Dorothy’s story. They loved going over the rainbow with CTG’s cast of 100, ranging in age from 5 to over 50 and from all corners of our community.

The wonder of this show doesn’t begin and end on stage. Little girls come to the theater wearing “Dorothy” dresses and ruby slippers, Glinda’s frothy pink gown, or the Witch’s black hat. Little boys come dressed as the Scarecrow, Tinman or Lion. And their eyes grow big as they wait patiently after the performance to visit favorite characters.

If you love a child, do something wonderful for him or her: Call the Carolina Theatre box office and get tickets to a Wizard performance. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll realize all over again why “there’s no place like home” right here in Greensboro.

The writer lives in Greensboro and serves on the board of directors of the Community Theatre of Greensboro.