Sarah Duncan as Toto, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy, Callie Warren as Lion, Keely Johnson as Tinman and Jack Hayes as Scarecrow. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Lorelei Cook and Sarah Duncan as Dorothy and Toto. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Lorelei Cook and Sarah Duncan as Dorothy and Toto. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Lorelei Cook and Sarah Duncan as Dorothy and Toto. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Joey Titus and Gabby Hitt as Miss Gulch and Aunt Em. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Sarah Duncan as Toto, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy and Kilee White as Glinda. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Sarah Duncan as Toto, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy and Kilee White as Glinda. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Children's Musical Theater Workshop presents "The Wizard of Oz". Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Children's Musical Theater Workshop presents "The Wizard of Oz". Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Kenzie Urquhart as the Wicked Witch. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Kilee White as Glinda and Kenzie Urquhart as the Wicked Witch. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Kenzie Urquhart as the Wicked Witch, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy and Kilee White as Glinda. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Sarah Duncan as Toto, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy, Kilee White as Glinda and Kenzie Urquhart as the Wicked Witch. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Sarah Duncan as Toto, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy and Kilee White as Glinda. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jack Hayes as Scarecrow and Lorelei Cook as Dorothy. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Sarah Duncan as Toto, Jack Hayes as Scarecrow, Keely Johnson as Tinman and Lorelei Cook as Dorothy. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jack Hayes as Scarecrow, Keely Johnson as Tinman and Lorelei Cook as Dorothy. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jack Hayes as Scarecrow, Keely Johnson as Tinman, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy and Sarah Duncan as Toto. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Madi Williams, Lillian Tacinelli and Avery Perri as the Lollipop Guild. Courtesy photo
For its 44th year, the Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop brought young performers to the stage for a youth production of "The Wizard of Oz" on May 15-17 at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center.
The production featured two separate casts made up of students ranging from kindergarten through high school seniors from local schools. During a recent dress rehearsal, performers rehearsed musical numbers, choreography and scenes from Dorothy’s journey through Oz.
“I love when we double cast how we get to see totally different versions come to life and see how they each interpret the characters,” director Crisi Simmons said.
Founded more than four decades ago by Cindy Simmons, CMTW continues to introduce children to live theater through annual productions focused on acting, singing and dance. Simmons served as artistic director for this year’s production.
“Former performers come back to work tech again for CMT because we are a family,” Simmons said. “A lot of our alumni — or their parents and grandparents — have been part of CMT.”
As part of the organization’s 44th season, the summer theater camp production of "Between the Lines Jr." is scheduled for June 26-27.
Simmons also announced productions for CMTW’s upcoming 45th year: Mary Poppins for students in sixth through 12th grade and "'Twas One Crazy Night Before Christmas" for kindergarten through fifth grade performers.
