Pismo Beach Youth Theater to stage ‘Wizard of Oz’

By Bettina Adragna/Features Writer

Pismo Beach Youth Theater will stage “The Wizard of Oz” for two weekends — May 9 to 11 and May 16 to 18.

A separate cast will perform each weekend, with a total of 77 young actors for both performances. Performers for this show have come from the Five Cities, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Avila Beach, Santa Maria, Orcutt and Cayucos.

Cast members range in age from kindergarten from sixth grade. For the first two matinees, a pre-show of “Are You My Mother?” based on the Dr. Seuss book, will be performed by toddlers and preschoolers.

Director Olivia Domingues-Miller said the shows feature a talented cast, even though there are no adults.

“This isn’t your average children’s show,” Domingues-Miller said. “It’s very professional for children.”

Notable numbers will include “Over the Rainbow” and “The Jitterbug,” which was cut out of the movie version but included in the script for the musical.

Pismo Beach Youth Theater holds programs in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach during the year. In the summer, the programs will expand to Santa Maria, with a summer camp in June that will culminate in a mini-production of “Annie.”

Also in the summer, a production class will meet twice a week to work on a performance of “Snoopy,” which will take place in August. Three casts from San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach and Santa Maria will rehearse separately for the first five weeks. They will meet and rehearse together in Pismo Beach the last week of rehearsals.

Pismo Beach Youth Theater will also perform “A Chorus Line” starting May 30. For more information, call the theater 471-4976.

FYI:

Performance times: 7 p.m. Friday, May 9; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 11; 7 p.m. Friday, May 16; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18

Performances take place at the Pismo Beach Vet’s Hall at 780 Bello St. in Pismo Beach. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for children. They are available at the door, by calling 471-4976, or by e-mailing slodancer@beembom.com.

For information about the Pismo Beach Youth Theater, call 471-4976 or visit www.pismo beachyouththeater.com.