- by Anne Finlay-Stewart

You may never meet a friendlier Friendly Lion, or a less wicked Wicked Witch of the West.

This Friday the participants from the REACH Centre will be bringing “Reaching for Oz” to Owen Sound's Roxy theatre – the whole story including flying monkeys and lollipop waving munchkins.

There will be twenty-five people on the stage, and others will be helping back stage or with intermission.
The main cast will change each act, to give everyone an opportunity.

The cast has been working on the production with director Lacey Mooney of Moonstar Theatre since March. One of the casts took a break from a rehearsal and granted us an interview.

Nelson Munk – one of the Lions – said that the warm ups and improvisation – facial exercises and acting out their favourite movies – really helped them get “outside the box”. Wicked Witch Jessica Bumstead assured me that she could act scary, but she could not keep the wide smile off her face as she told me. Laura Conquest has her own lovely braid to play Dorothy, and today she will be trying on the classic blue check and puff-sleeved dress.

Most of the costumes are being made by Karen Post, specially designed for as many as three different actors to make quick changes between acts. The costume room is also filled with hand-made props including the afore-mentioned lollipops and poppies.

This performance is a fundraiser for the future of the REACH Centre.

The REACH Centre has been doing its educational and recreational activities for young adults who face developmental, physical and communication challenges out of Georgian Shores United Church since 2014. They have been gifted the former Grey Granite Club building on 2nd Avenue East, but it will need a lot of work to become accessible and appropriate for their programs.

The of REACH is “to provide engaging adult based educational and recreational programs, which support participants in achieving their potential”.

Just as important, they maintain, is their goal of providing a place where participants can experience true community and supportive friendships. To that end, they have already run a fundraising race in Harrison Park this spring, and are determined to rebuild their new facility into a true community hub.
Tickets for the play are only $15, but an additional donation will get you a tax receipt, as REACH is a registered charity.

The actors assure me that Reaching for Oz will be suitable for everyone- kids, young families to grandparents. The curtain is at 7, and they invite you to and enjoy the show!