Players Perform Musical Wizardry
SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS KOURAPIS
Professor Marvel (Gene Callan) urges Dorothy (Kayla Kraft) to return to her home during a recent rehearsal of the Charlotte Players production of "The Wizard of Oz."
SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS KOURAPIS
Wicked Witch (Eva Fumani) terrifies Ozians during a Charlotte Players rehearsal of "Wizard of Oz."
SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS KOURAPIS
Aunt Em (Sandi Wood) at left, and Uncle Henry (Herb Berry) confront their wicked neighbor Miss Gulch (Eva Fumani) during a Charlotte Players rehearsal of "Wizard of Oz."
SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS KOURAPIS
Charlotte Players Musical Director, Jaci Cushman, provides piano accompaniment and musical recordings for the Nov. 9 - 17 production of "The Wizard of Oz."
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
Professor Marvel (Gene Callan) urges Dorothy (Kayla Kraft) to return to her home during a recent rehearsal of the Charlotte Players production of "The Wizard of Oz."
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
Professor Marvel (Gene Callan) urges Dorothy (Kayla Kraft) to return to her home during a recent rehearsal of the Charlotte Players production of "The Wizard of Oz."
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
Some of the "Wizard of OZ" cast, from left: Aunt Em (Sandi Wood), Uncle Henry (Herb Berry), Professor Marvel (Gene Callan), the Wicked Witch ( Eva Firmani), Dorothy Gale (Kayla Kraft), the Good Witch (Debbie Brandal), Tin Man (Calvin Rotering) and Lion (David Watson).
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
Some of the "Wizard of OZ" cast, from left: Aunt Em (Sandi Wood), Uncle Henry (Herb Berry), Professor Marvel (Gene Callan), the Wicked Witch ( Eva Firmani), Dorothy Gale (Kayla Kraft), the Good Witch (Debbie Brandal), Tin Man (Calvin Rotering) and Lion (David Watson).
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
The Wicked Witch (Eva Firmani) and the Good Witch (Debbie Brandal) with Dorothy (Kayla Kraft).
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
The Good Witch (Debbie Brandal) and Dorothy (Kayla Kraft).
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
The Good Witch (Debbie Brandal) with the Wizard of Oz Munchkins.
SUN PHOTO BY CASEY ORTLIEB
Aunt Em ( Sandi Wood) with Dorothy (Kayla Kraft).
In 1900 L. Frank Baum wrote a book entitled “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Since then, the story has been adapted and reproduced as a musical production and revived in a variety of formats to become one of the most beloved musicals of all time. The Charlotte Players, under the direction of Gary Obeldobel and Jaclyn Cushman, will perform their unique version of “The Wizard of Oz” in a spectacular musical extravaganza, one that promises to delight area audiences at the Cultural Center Theatre in Port Charlotte on Nov. 9 - 17.
Director Obeldobel, a talented comedic actor who has performed widely as a stand-up comedian, has acted in and directed a number of plays in Port Charlotte and Naples, Fla. His good humor and easy manner resonates with the “Wizard’s” huge, 50-plus member cast. “I don’t scare them,” he states, “I know that I can get the most I can from them, and they respond by doing things they never thought they could do.” He often demonstrates particular dance moves by performing somersaults and gymnastic leaps to illustrate his points.
