Rachel Maggert: Dorothy
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- First time
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- She is young and innocent, but she also has a lot of courage and spunk so channeling all those sides of Dorothy has been a challenge.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- I think everyone puts their own fun spin on all the characters so they are just like the movie so I think that is really fun!
- What is your favorite scene?
- When Dorothy meets the Munchkins, and gets the ruby slippers
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- I love performing because it’s a place for me to really be creative and outgoing. And it’s fun, entertaining and brings joy to others.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show? i
- I think it’s close to 200 hours.
Andy Keller: Scarecrow
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- This is my 5th Night Show, but my first time since 2017.
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- I absolutely love getting to play the Scarecrow and especially love the physicality of the character. The flopping and flailing of the straw man is a fun thing to try and embody, but trying to sing on top of that is a challenge. Hopefully, I can deliver some of these iconic songs without being completely out of breath.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- Many people will be very familiar with the show from the movie, and now there’s a renewed excitement for this world with the success of Wicked. One thing I think people will appreciate is the parts of the show that aren’t in the movie, including possibly the most infectious song: Jitterbug.
- What is your favorite scene?
- I think it will be hard to beat Dorthy’s arrival to Oz by Glinda and the Munchkins. Maybe that’s because I have two kids who are also munchkins and I’m so excited for them to make their Night Show debuts.
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- Well, after a long hiatus, I was excited to be able to share the stage with my kids. The Night Show is certainly a large commitment and so I felt the need to step away for a season when my kids were young, but we have enjoyed watching all the amazing shows over the years and hoped I’d one day be able to return.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- I would guess about 180 hours
Drew Lemke: Tinman
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- 11 shows!
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- Learning how to move like a man made out of tin. It’s been a fun challenge.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- Some really cool special effects are planned and I think the staging and backdrops will be fantastic!
- What is your favorite scene?
- So far, I’ve really enjoyed learning the Jitterbug- a more dance-heavy scene. It’s challenging music because it’s so fast and we are all moving around so much at the same time!
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- I love the community that we form as a cast. We have an awesome crew of people that is a blast to hang out with, (sometimes a little too late into the night!).
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- 150-200ish?
Brandon Miller: Lion
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- I’ve been involved with the Night Show for 11 years. The 9 most recent being consecutive.
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- The Wizard of Oz is a very whimsical show, so making Lion a character people can have empathy for, and perhaps even relate to; is one of the challenges of this role. Additionally, I anticipate performing movement and dancing in the costuming for Lion to be a bit of a strenuous experience. I’m going to roast.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- Hmm, I’d hate to spill any spoilers for folks who come to the show… So, I think the most fun part of this show is getting to see these iconic, classic characters come to life. And for that to be done by folks from our community that we all know in such different circumstances ordinarily. It’s so fun to be surprised, and to realize there is so much more to people than what we get from them in day to day life.
- What is your favorite scene?
- It’s hard to pick a favorite… but I really enjoy the moments when we get to meet characters for the first time. Scarecrow in the field, Tin Man in the forest, those are probably the ones I like to stop and watch the most.
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- There are several reasons. First and foremost, are the relationships built with the community of people it takes to put a show together. When you spend so much time with one another, and are all working toward a common goal; there is a unique bond that we all share. Some people I’ve performed with, I see regularly outside of Night Show; but a lot of them, I don’t. That doesn’t matter. We have that shared experience, and the relationship is there. I love recounting Night Show moments with cast mates when I run into them, and having the opportunity to catch up if we haven’t seen one another in a while is so delightful. Shows come and go every year, but the relationships are the reason so many of us keep coming back.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show? in total?
- Goodness. After some quick calculations… between scheduled rehearsals, tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, work days for sets, staging, etc., and time I spend learning lines, music, blocking, and choreography on my own… I probably spend between 250-300 hrs working on the show annually (depending on role).
Amanda Lemke: Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- 13
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- The Wicked Witch is such an iconic character, many people will come in having expectations of how she should act and sound! I definitely feel the pressure of doing it “right” while still making the role my own!
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- There are so many cool sets and props taking shape! They really bring the magic to the show!
- What is your favorite scene?
- You really can’t beat the moment when Dorothy walks into Munchkinland and everything is suddenly in color!
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- I really just love the night show community. We have a lot of fun, and work hard to support each other!
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show? i
- I would think about 180 in rehearsals, 35 in shows, and 20 hours at home practicing. I also like to help with any painting or set work when needed, so maybe another 10-20 for that. There are definitely people who do more, but I’m going to guess around 250!
Jessica Giannantonio: Glinda
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- This is my 6th year being involved with the Night show!
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- Glinda is a well known character, so one of the challenges with this role has been how to present her in a way that is true to the script while also putting my own spin on it!
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- There are going to be some fun surprises that I won’t spoil for you! A lot of our youngest cast members are playing more than one character, so be on the lookout for our little poppies, trees, munchkins, and monkeys! They’ve been working hard to put on a great show for you!
- What is your favorite scene?
- One of my favorite scenes is when Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Tinman meet the Lion!
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- I love working with other people who value music and theatre! Being in a community with people who enjoy creating and working as a team is a wonderful experience that doesn’t happen everywhere! We’re blessed to have incredible opportunities for the fine arts in our area!
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- Oh boy. I think around 175 hours in rehearsals, 35 hours in shows, and 15 hours at home practicing give or take! I’m thinking around 210!
Don King: Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- 8
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- The best and worst part about being in a show that Todd directs is that he has very high standards and a very clear vision. You want to have fun, but you also want to make Todd and Becky proud of you.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- Well…there may or may not be a live ostrich on the stage this year.
- What is your favorite scene?
- My favorite scene was actually listening to the callbacks for the Cowardly Lion. Listening to all of the gents sing their version’s on the lion’s song was awesome.
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- The people, the directors, and the audience.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- 156 hours
Jeff Guthmiller: Uncle Henry
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- This is my 5th show
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- I have more lines in this show
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
-
- Things you might not expect to see in small town theatre
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- What is your favorite scene?
- Tornado scene
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- The opportunity to spend time with people that I otherwise wouldn’t see
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show? i
- 100
Susan Veltkamp: Aunt Em
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- If I’ve counted correctly, this is my 15th night show.
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- I think finding the balance between Auntie Em’s no nonsense personality and still showing how much she loves and cares about Dorothy is a little challenging.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- There are a lot of humorous lines throughout the show as well as high energy songs and dances that are a lot of fun. The kids playing the munchkins are also very entertaining.
- What is your favorite scene?
- I don’t think I can pick just one favorite. Any scene involving Scarecrow, Lion, and the Tin Man usually makes me laugh.
- If you are a long time performer, what brings you back year after year?
- I love being in the night show because it is fun to spend time with friends from previous shows while at the same time having the opportunity to get to know new people. It is also a great way to be involved in the Tulip Festival and have the chance to bring joy to all those who come to the show.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- My rough estimate is somewhere around 115 hours.
Ryan Doughan: Oz Guard
- Number of years involved in Night show?
- Though I’ve been involved in the Tulip Festival for over a decade, this is my first Night Show production and the first theatre production of any kind since studying acting at Northwestern College nearly twenty years ago.
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- I get to portray the Oz Guard with a bit of an over-the-top accent. This adds a lot of fun to the character but has certainly presented a challenge for me moving directly from speaking dialogue into song. To maintain character, I need to still be using an accent when singing. It’s been a challenge, but a fun one. The other fun, but challenging part of my role is the number of costume changes I will have to cycle through. Moving into Act 2, I will have five separate costume changes. Some of these will have a very short turn around which will make it a team effort to get off stage, changed, and back on in time for my next part.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- I have the privilege of acting alongside some incredibly talented people who are putting in a huge amount of work to own their characters and bring a super fun show to life. A ton of time has been put in for music and choreography, in particular. I think the audience will have the opportunity to experience an exceptionally enjoyable show this year.
- What is your favorite scene?
- My favorite scene has to be The Merry Ol’ Land of Oz, of course. This is the scene where I as the Oz Guard get to welcome (or rebuff) Dorothy and her three companions from The Emerald City’s gates. The whole scene has a ton of energy and a really fun dance scene.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- I tried to count this up, and I got somewhere above 200 hours for time spent or expected to be spent on the show. When looking at the time put in by the directors, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion…well, let’s just say it takes a lot of hours and a lot of work to put on this show.
Jack Bonnecroy: Lead Ozian
- Number of years involved in Night Show?
- 16
- What has been challenging about the character you are playing?
- Acting and moving like a crow has been a unique challenge.
- Anything fun or unexpected the audience can look forward to with this show?
- I think the production value in this show is going to be really high. It will be fun to see all the special effects and stage magic.
- What is your favorite scene?
- My favorite scene is the Ozian welcome for the main characters. It’s just so ridiculous and funny, it’s great.
- If you are a long performer, what brings you back year after year?
- I come back year after year for two reasons. One, the friends or community members you meet or reconnect with is so important. Second, I love the performance aspect of musical theater. Playing an instrument or singing on stage is so different from anything else I get to do.
- How many hours do you think you spend working on the show?
- Probably close to 115 hours in rehearsal. Then 7 performances, so 135-140 hours in total.
