By James Kiser
The Off Broadway Players, based in Broadway VA, have been dedicated to delivering quality theatre and entertainment to the local community since 2016, and they are at it again with their 2025 line-up. Having kicked things off with Kitchen Witches, in May, they will continue the excitement by going over the rainbow in their summer musical production of The Wizard of Oz!
This OBP production of The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, is based on the age-old classic movie-musical starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, and Margaret Hamilton. This will be the second musical production by the OBP since the 2020 pandemic, and they are delighted to welcome James D. Kiser back as the director. James D. Kiser, who portrayed the Cowardly Lion in the Schultz Theatre’s 2014 production of The Wizard of Oz, is excited to be back. Kiser previously directed the Off Broadway Player’s 2024 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kiser is the founder of VOICE (Vocalists Offering Inspirational Community Enrichment), a local non-profit music organization established in 2008, and directed until 2022. Since before 2016, he was a familiar face on community stages in the area, participating in performances from New Market to Waynesboro, including roles in: Les Misérables (Bishop/Legles), Die Fledermaus (Dr. Falke), The Sorcerer (Sir M. Pointextre), La Jolie Parfumeuse (Poirot), The Singers Glen Opera (Bishop Peter), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph).
“I am thrilled to be directing again with the OBP and so excited to bring this production to the stage! I learned a lot last year with Joseph, but I am still on the learning curve with this one. Thankfully, we have a wonderfully talented cast and an outstanding production/stage crew. Collaborating with everyone on this production has been thrilling! I cannot wait for the audience to join us in Oz this summer!” ~ James D. Kiser, Director.
The OBP had an almost record turnout for the auditions and rehearsals for this production of The Wizard of Oz have been underway since mid-May, with Kiser at the reins. Alongside [Kiser] there have been many folks involved with pre-planning, backstage, and rehearsals, including Sophie Hendricks, Jessica Conway, and Choreographer Rhys McRoberts. J.W. Fiske, the OBP Technical Director, and Ian Cherry have also been at the forefront with their expertise regarding set design and construction. John Evans, Audio Technician, and his team will return to make this wonderful production heard, and Chris Runion and Addison Cheery will also be back to help light the stage. All of this, not to mention the incredibly talented 32-member cast & large crew, have all been hard at work to bring this production to life! Some faces may even be familiar.
Simone Cameon, of Harrisonburg, returns to the OBP as Dorothy. She previously performed as the Narrator in last year’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Liam Roderick, of Rockingham, who played Joseph in last year’s production, is also returning this summer as the Scarecrow. Other returning performers: Palmer Lee, Ethan Golin, Jean & JW Fiske, Alex Trissel, and Mackenzie Grimes are all thrilled to be back. Joining them this summer are a great many fresh faces with talented voices, including Hannah Altman as Glinda, Zachary Trost as the Tin Man, Sam Hamilton as the Cowardly Lion, and Joe Appleton as the Wizard of Oz.
“I am so excited for people to get to see what we’ve done for this show! So many people have come together and put in their full effort to make something truly wonderful. This is my second musical production with the OBP, and I haven’t had a dull moment!” ~ Liam Roderick, Scarecrow
“The process for this musical is amazing! All the people bring great energy, and I am so blessed to be a part of this production!” ~ Molly-Kate Adkins, Ensemble
Between the costume and set changes, to choreographed numbers and technical effects, this production is set to dazzle! So, click your heels and get ready to cross the rainbow with the OBP this summer! This classic musical production will be held at J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, in Broadway, VA. Performances are scheduled July 25, 26, and Aug 1, 2 @ 7 pm; July 27 and Aug 3 @ 3 pm. Tickets are on sale now, online at offbroadwayplayerva.org, or can be purchased at the door. Limited tickets available, so get your tickets now.
