Lions Tigers and Bears (in Canton), Oh My!

Audience members of all ages packed into 's 400-seat auditorium to see Forever After Productions’ .  The youth theater group, just ending its second full year of performances, held auditions for the classic musical in February and ultimately cast 150 children as two separate casts appropriately titled "Emerald" and "Yellow."

Sidney Hicks as Dorothy Gale led Friday’s performance by the Yellow cast. Her soulful soprano voice wowed the crowd as she opened with Somewhere Over the Rainbow.  Susan Whaler of Canton, attending the show with her two granddaughters, Kaitlin, 8 and Grace, 6 said, “This was always my favorite scene in the movie and she gave me goosebumps.” 

Dorothy wasn’t the only character catching the audience's attention.  John Kurlowski, a frequent Village Theater-goer commented on the performer’s smiles and talent. “I really enjoy coming to these shows. They’re entertaining," he said. "I enjoy seeing the kids doing something that they really love and are so good at. I could tell they were having fun with each other."

Cast members felt the same way. Holly Platis, 16, who plays Glinda the good witch said, “The entire cast has really bonded.”

Alex Arnesto, 16, who plays Professor and Wizard of Oz, said “We could have had four casts, everyone is so talented.”

Some of the young performers are veterans of the spotlight. Brandon Waldenmayer, 16, who amazed as the the farmhand Zeke and the Cowardly Lion made his singing debut in another classic musical, Peter Pan.

But the show has it's share of newcomers to the stage.

Greg Selewski's turn as the Scarecrow is his first on-stage lead. Selewski, 18, worked backstage for many shows. Anirudh Keshamouni, 11, of Canton, was all smiles performing as a member of the Lollypop Guild in the munchkin scene -- his first time in front of a traditional audience. He recently performed as a member of the flash mob at Plymouth’s Green Street Fair.  He said preparing for Oz required a lot of work. “We have to come in three or more times weekly, and in the last week we were practicing four hours a day, every day, but, it’s worth it," he said.

Their hard work appeared to pay off as the lights came up. Every beaming smile from the cast as they bowed was mirrored by those in the audience giving a standing ovation. from the seats. Oz is a place that we all remember from our own childhood and Forever After Productions certainly retells the tale just as well.

All public showings of The Wizard of Oz are sold out.  Forever After Production’s season continues with the Disney musical Camp Rock.  Auditions will be held on May 31 and June 1, with 11 shows  scheduled between July 22 and July 31. For more information visit www.foreverafterproductions.com.