Young Artists stage 'Wizard of Oz'

Young singers, dancers and actors will bring The Wizard of Oz to the stage this weekend.

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The Young Artists Rep-ertory Theatre Co. will present the classic at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Augusta Preparatory Day School's Hull Auditorium at 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez.

"It is a lot of fun," said John Greene, YART's artistic director, of the show. "It follows the movie right along."

Greene said 10-year-old Olivia Carswell will portray Dorothy, while 5-year-old Drew Bush will play her sidekick, Toto. The show is an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz and includes dance numbers, Greene said.

"Also, we're presenting it just about uncut," Greene said. "We're putting back in the jitterbug scene."

The 38-member cast ranges from age 5 to 20, Greene said. All the players are amateurs, though many have acting, musical or dance training and experience.

YART performances are normally held at Augusta Prep, but Greene said the upcoming musical will be their first in the 350-seat Hull Auditorium.

Admission costs $10 for children, students and seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets are available at www.yart.org and at the door. For more information, e-mail yart@comcast.net or call (706) 210-8915.