Seneca High School presents “The Wiz,” with a cast of 70 students, including three sets of siblings, May 2–4.
This is the second time Seneca has presented the musical. The first time was in 2006. It will be recycling and reusing props and items from the previous performance.
“The Wiz” is set in Central Park in New York City instead of Kansas, where Dorothy follows the yellow brick road.
According to assistant director Tracy Betts, “The Wiz” characers are modern.
The Tin Man is a worker in the park, the Scarecrow’s outfit is updated and Dorothy can be seen wearing jeans and a button down shirt with suspenders. Additionally, the Cowardly Lion is a rock star with a fur jacket.
“It’s a modern lion with a fur vest and concert tee shirt. He even has a mullet hairdo,” Betts said.
The dynamic of the show involves pit singers and dancers, aspects in which the three sets of siblings are contributing.
Sophomore twins Kristen and Kim Laporte are dancers in the show alongside siblings junior Abby Moore and freshman Emma.
The girls indicated they don’t harbor feelings of sibling rivalry on stage and value the camaraderie the production provides.
“When I started doing the shows, I was excited for my sister to do the shows with me. I actually missed her,” Abby said of Emma.
All four girls spend time practicing their repertoire together at home.
“We know each other so well, so it helps when we’re learning things. We have a twin telepathy going on,” Kristen said.
“When I need help with anything I know I can go to her,” Kim said.
The twins participate in multiple activities together, including color guard in the fall.
Senior Taylor Gorman and sister Autumn echo the feelings of the other girls, appreciating the time spent together at the play.
Taylor will be attending Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., in the fall and plans to major in forensic science.
“We’re very close. With this being my senior year and off to college next year, it’s nice to have Autumn do the musical with me and spend a lot of time together,” Taylor said.
“I think it’s awesome being in the show with Taylor because we’re so close. It’s nice to spend some time together even though we live together,” Autumn said.
The girls are pit singers; Autumn performs as an alto, while Taylor is a soprano.
“It helps us listen to the harmonies and how it should sound on the stage,” Autumn said.
According to all the girls, the idea about being a family is shared with the cast and throughout Seneca student body.
“At Seneca we say we’re family, and in my time here, we’ve become so close.
“With an actual family member in the show, it completes the image,” Abby said.
With the opening show date closing in, the girls are anticipating opening night.
According to Emma, the show is more soulful and jazzier, and the audience shouldn’t expect the traditional version of the musical.
“There’s a lot of energy in this show, which is great,” Betts said.
The faculty members’ children are involved in the production, ranging in ages from 4 to 11, cast as the munchkins.
“They really enjoy being on the stage,” Betts said. “They’re outgoing and excited. They practice at home with their parents as well.”
“The Wiz” opens May 2 at 7 p.m.
“It’s really starting to come together with the acting, singing and dancing,” Betts said. “We’re exciting. We’re hoping a lot of people come out.”
