Want your ‘Oz’ with a twist? Check out ‘The Wiz’ at Theatre in the Park

Dorothy and her friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion meet again on the Yellow Brick Road in “The Wiz,” the 2015 season opener at The Theatre in the Park.

“The Wiz,” a stage version of “The Wonderful World of Oz,” is a high-energy production with Motown music incorporating funk, soul, blues and disco. It continues through Saturday at the theater, 7710 Renner Road in Shawnee.

Lindsey Hailes, a Blue Valley West graduate, has the leading role of Dorothy. “I just love playing Dorothy and I really like the music in ‘The Wiz’,” Lindsey said. “It’s Motown and livelier than music in the traditional ‘Oz’ that’s more classical.”

“My favorite songs are ‘Be a Lion,’ ‘As Soon As I Get Home’ and ‘Home’ but really I like them all,” she said. “I was in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at The Theatre in the Park several years ago but not as Dorothy. This is an entirely new experience.”

Hailes also has been in “Grease” and “Hairspray” at The Theatre in the Park and has appeared in productions at Musical Theatre of Kansas City. She is a sophomore at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she is majoring in musical theater.

“I hope to make theater my career. I love singing and dancing,” Hailes said.

“The Wiz” is directed by Bess Wallerstein Huff, founder and artistic director of One Time Productions. She directed “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” last season at The Theatre in the Park.

“One of the most fun challenges of ‘The Wiz’ was creating the many worlds, people and creatures that Dorothy encounters along her journey to Oz. There is something familiar yet strange about each character she meets,” Huff said.

“The music in ‘The Wiz’ is the most obvious difference from ‘Oz.’ It’s funky, soulful and Motown,” said Huff who has directed both productions. “Both are charming shows.”

Evan Lovelace of Olathe portrays the Wiz. He’s a 2007 graduate of Olathe East and “The Wiz” is his 12^th show at The Theatre in the Park.

“I love it, it’s a great show. It’s fun having the different characters coming to the Emerald City seeking favors from the Wiz,” Lovelace said.

Scarecrow is played by Jeremy Walterman, also of Olathe, who’s in his seventh show at The Theatre in the Park.

“I auditioned for both Scarecrow and Lion and I would have been happy with either. But I really wanted Scarecrow. He’s an interesting character, my favorite. He wants the Wiz to grant his dream of having a brain,” said Walterman, 21, a 2012 graduate of Olathe South.

For Benjamin Houpe, 29, playing the Cowardly Lion is the realization of his dream. It’s his first show and “The Wiz” is his mother’s favorite.

Houpe is a 2004 graduate of Platte County High School and served eight years in the U.S. Army.

“The Wiz” is the first play I ever auditioned for,” he said. “I’ve dreamed about being on stage. Outside of being in the Army it’s the best experience I’ve had,” said Houpe, who lives in Kansas City. “Acting is what I’d like to do the rest of my life.”

Jordan Ray, who also lives in Kansas City, is Tinman. “I love it, most definitely my favorite role,” he said.

Ray, 19, has appeared in “Beauty and the Beast” and “Guys and Dolls” at The Theatre in the Park.

“I like the Motown music, the way it flows,” said Ray, a student at Central Missouri State, where he’s studying theater technology.

Stacey Knoell of Olathe is Addaperle the Good Witch. Evillene, the Wicked Witch, is played by Megan Hill of Overland Park. Aunt Em is portrayed by Elise Dorsey of Lenexa.