Posted: 8/7/02

'Wiz' wraps up Masquers 26th season

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The last show of Masquerís summer seasonóìThe Wizî is a fresh, free spirited, high energy musical with a saucy spirit.

Deservedly, ìThe Wizî got a standing ovation on its opening night. Now showing, ìThe Wizî features a variety of Masquerís mainstays as well as new faces.

Amber Sausen appears as Dorothy. Of course in this modern, inner city version of Frank Baumís classicówritten by William F. Brownó Dorothy is a troubled teenager.

Sparing the classic gingham dress and apron, she wears pig tails, a short sleeve blouse and plaid capri pants.

Sausen does a stellar job of carrying the role. With top notch dance moves and a voice meant for recording, she keeps the audiences eyes on her throughout the show.

Kathy Killion portrays Addaperle, a good witch who fronts as a magical fairy godmother. With former Masquerís credits including ìJoseph,î ìGrease,î and ìPajama Game,î Killion is a gift to the presentation inside and out.

In addition to strutting her attitudeóand flamboyant costumeóas Addaperle, designed the set, costumes, built the set and was technical director for the show. Tricia Hofeld and Cindy Hofeld also were on the set crew.

Filling the roles of Dorothyís friends, Sonja Tostenson portrays Scarecrow, Joel Partyka is Tin Man and Hilman Koopman is Lion.

If ever there was a girl meant to walk with no bones, it is Tosteson. Coming off the pole, she looks like sheís made of a rubberbandóonly to move into high energy dance moves before long.

This is Joel Partykaís fourth play. As the tin man, Partyka offers comic relief to the audience with his subtle expressions, timing and delivery.

If anyone ever was meant to be a lion, it is Hilman Koopman. With his homegrown blond locks for a mane, Koopman seems at home in a lion costume.

Wes McDonald, who is becoming a Masquerís mainstay with appearances in ìThe Odd Coupleî last month and ìPajama Game,î ìSound of Music,î ìRumorsî and ìOliverî takes the title role of ìThe Wiz.î McDonald also serves on the Masquerís Board of Directors.

The show features a trio of witches including Jean Mornard as Glinda (a.k.a. Auntie Em). Mornard has had a busy summer with Masquers, as she was director of ìThe Odd Coupleî which hit the stage in July.

Marissa Sykora appears as Evillene, the wicked witch. She shares the stage with her scene-stealing daughter, Samantha Sykora.

Previously seen in ìSnow Whiteî at the Art Barn and ìCinderellaî for Masquers. Sykora is a member of the chorus and appears as a munchkin, an underling at the West Witch castle, in the Emerald City and as a packer rat.

The entire cast is better than what most might expect from community theater.

With a combination of acting skills, comedic timing, vocal talents and dance moves, the 18-member cast does their best in the classic-turned modern tale.

Music

Musically, ìThe Wizî is a departure for Masquerís productions. It features a disco flavor with a lot of sass with words and music by Charlie Small.

The orchestra is led by Craig Moen who also lends his talents on trumpet.

The orchestra is filled out by Jack Waas on reeds, Alex Pennell on clarinet, Ben Hanson on trombone, Ben Tacheny on bass guitar, Kyle Tennis on guitar, Matt Haider on keyboards and Gavin Haasl on drums.

Curtain Call

Bobby Reedy, director on ìThe Wizî said this is his last Masquerís show. It is a fitting show to end on, as he has been involved with the show with other theaters in the past. Reedy has been involved with ìThe Wizî as a performer three times, as Lion, Tin Man and Wiz.

Reedy, who also has performed in a list of other shows with Masquers, said he is leaving the theater company to spend more time with his family.

Showtimes/tickets

Showtimes are scheduled for 7 p.m. August 8-10.

All shows are at the Forest Lake High School Auditorium, 6101 Scandia Trail North, at the corner of TH-97 and US-61.

Adult tickets are $10; senior tickets are $9 and childrenís tickets are $6.

Theater patrons will receive $1 off each ticket when they bring in this article. This offer is good for up to four tickets.

Tickets are available at the Yellow Bus, which can be reached by calling 651-464-2112.

Tickets also are available at the door beginning a half hour before each performance.

District 831 Community Services will continue with the Thursday special they started with ìThe Odd Couple.î

During the week of the show, those wanting to take advantage of the deal need to go to the Community Services office to purchase tickets. There, patrons will be given vouchers to bring to the show.

For ìThe Wizî theater patrons will receive a free childrenís ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket when purchasing through the Community Services Thursday special.

For more information call the box office at 651-464-5823 or visit the theatre online at www.masquerstheatre.com on the World Wide Web.

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