DVD Sales Extended until April 5

We are extending DVD order time until April 5.  Forms may be turned into the school office in the designated bin.

Don't Miss Out  - Purchase your full length show DVD Today!  

A copy of the taped/edited performance(s) are available for purchase by our cast/crew/pit family & friends for $10 each.  Checks should be made out to GVMS Musical Club.  

Please complete THIS FORM and turn it into the school office in the designated box 
or into Terry or Gene Flanagan in person or mail to: 

3401 Hartford Court

Newtown Square, PA 19073

Orders must be received no later than 4/5/2013.  DVD’s will be distributed to GVMS students in school; all other orders will be contacted for pickup of their order at the Middle School office.

FREE PHOTO CD
Just so you know, all cast members, pit musicians, and stage crew will receive a FREE PHOTO CD capturing all your wonderful Oz memories!!

Awesome OZ!!

WAY TO ROCK OZ !

Energy

Enthusiasm

Excellence

From Kansas to Munchkinland, to Oz and Back Home, our lives traveled a fabulous musical journey together and will never be the same.

Thank you for your hard work, dedication and for filing our lives with your beautiful music.

Mrs. Morrell,  Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Sheaffer 

Lost and Found Mountain

Hi Cast Members - 
Our Lost and Found pile is as high as the Witch's Castle!  We have four boxes of everything from lunch bags, make-up, clothing, Oz T-Shirts, shoes.... to dirty socks (phew!)

Please bring a bag to school with you tomorrow to collect your things.  Mrs. Day Sheaffer  plans to be in the Dining Room in the morning and will lay out  items on tables there.  I will be there to help you.  Anything not claimed when the morning bell rings will be placed alongside the general lost and found in the Dining Room.

Important Item Lost After the Show - Please Help!

Please Help Us Find a Very Important Lost Item!

A small hearing aid device was lost sometime between arrival at GWES for the final performance of Oz, and the end of the cast party by a member of our Pit Orchestra.

The hearing aid is attached by a small plastic tube to a red ear mold, and it is unlikely (though possible) that the two would have gotten detached from each other.  You can see what they  look like at the following URL. Imagine that the part inside the ear is bright red, not clear: http://www.hearing-aids-wizard.com/image-files/behind-the-ear-hearing-aid.jpg

Do you remember seeing anything like this anywhere before, during or after the show?  If yes, please contact Mrs. Day Sheaffer immediately with as much information as you can regarding where and when you saw them!  

Mrs. Day Sheaffer 267-474-9801
daysheaffer@comcast.net

DVD Sales Reminder

Don't Miss Out  - Purchase your full length show DVD Today!  

We are pleased to announce that we will have a professional videographer on site to videotape our performances!

A copy of the taped/edited performance(s) will be available for purchase by our cast/crew/pit family & friends for $10 each.  Checks should be made out to GVMS Musical Club.  

Please complete THIS FORM and turn into Terry or Gene Flanagan in person or mail to: 

3401 Hartford Court

Newtown Square, PA 19073

Orders must be received no later than 3/20/2013.  DVD’s will be distributed to GVMS students in school; all other orders will be contacted for pickup of their order at the Middle School office.

FREE PHOTO CD
Just so you know, all cast members, pit musicians, and stage crew will receive a FREE PHOTO CD capturing all your wonderful Oz memories!!

Great Job to a Sold Out House!!

We performed tonight in front of a standing room only crowd - including our superintendent Dr. Lonoconus !!!

Our show was a lot smoother and we ran 10 minutes shorter!  You sounded great and looked great!

FOR SATURDAY

Cast Photo
Upon arrival at 11:30am for more complex make-up or 12:00, please put on your favorite costume and get to the stage for your cast photo at 1:00pm.

Recognition Meeting
Parent Volunteers are invited to join us at 1:15pm in the auditorium for a recognition of all your wonderful efforts.

Pick up after matinee -
All cast members, including put and crew, should be picked up immediately after the matinee at approx. 4:30pm, and return by 6:00pm to prepare for the evening show and do make-up touch-ups.  Please do not entirely remove your make up!  Have something to eat and drink, and rest your voices!  Please remember to bring water bottles.

Cast Party (Yeah!)
WIll follow right after the show, so the faster you clean up your bins and costumes, the faster you get to the PARTY!  Cast party ends at 11:15pm.  

Important notes about tonight

Notes from Our Director


You all did a terrific job last night . . . for an opening night.  We are going to be even better tonight!  Please read the following for comments, directions and improvements.

• Pit Band, great job.  I loved all the solos.  Make sure you are ready to play the Finale as soon as Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home.”
• Stage crew, great job getting things faster and smoother.  Please remember to stay quiet and behind the curtain while performers are on the stage.  The mics pick up your footsteps and your whispering.  When you do not stay behind the curtain, people can see you.  I also ask that if there is something on stage that you are not sure that it should be, please ask before removing it.  There were several times I put something on stage and someone removed.  I had to retrieve it and put it back.  This causes us to take longer to get the scene changed and distress for actors when something isn’t there that should be.  Dyson put his bag with the trinkets on stage.  When he went to deliver his lines, the bag was gone.  Also, the two “fake” trees are to stay to the right and left sides of the bridge when they are not used in front of the bridge.
• During the twister, the house needs to be rotated and moving towards the center as the curtain trails the house.  Make sure a window is facing so Dorothy can see out and say, “Look, Toto.  There’s a flying cow!”  Be sure the flowers are on the front door.  The “72” must be covered.  Also, performers make sure the front door is shut leaving or entering the house.
• Uncle Henry, when you and Aunt Em leave stage after dealing with Miss Gultch, please put your caring arm around Aunt Em.  And, don’t forget your belt.
• Dorothy, be conscious of Toto at all times.  There were a couple times she was missing during the scene.
• All cast members.  Please stay back and out of the way of the stage crew until they have completely finished changing the sets.  Time was wasted plus it is very frustrating to ask you to move.  Even when we did, many of you did not and we were expected to move heavy and awkward things around you.
• All munchkins are suppose to be on stage before the curtain opens.
• In “Merry Old Land Of Oz,” girls must bring Toto on stage between Dorothy and Lion’s seat.  When grooming is done, must give Toto back to Dorothy.
• Rohit, how about if you dress for Nikko at intermission instead of being in Emerald city.  We want you to make the entrance.
• Jitterbug scene went well but all of you still need to keep moving.  The scene is much move impressive when the movement never stops.  When you are waiting for the next choreography, keep your legs and arms moving.  The energy cannot stop for a second.
• Please review ACT II to correct the glitches.
• For curtain call, just go quickly and make sure you bow.  The order is not very crucial until we get to Miss Gultch.  So just GO.  And make sure the risers fill up right after the stage crew and those on the bridge.

I’m sure I can think of much more; however, time is running out and I must get this to you.  Please graciously accept and other input from our precious producers.  You all have made me soooo very proud of you.  Thank you.  And tonight, we are going to fix all these things and KNOCK ‘EM DEAD!!!

Lovingly,

    Mrs. Morrell

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FROM COSTUMES / PROPS

Stage / Show - 

Please meet in the auditorium at 6:50pm for notes and warm up.  If your make-up is not done, you can finish up after our meeting providing you are not in the first scene.

Do not go around the back hall to try and watch through the side auditorium doors.  Our audience can see this and it distracting to the production.

Just before Munchkinland, please stand back from the ramp door so stage crew can get all the set in before you enter.

Monkeys, fake scarecrow was pre-set under stage.  If you forget to scatter these parts, the next few scenes make no sense.  All monkeys please see Mrs. Sheaffer after you have make-up.

Cast in the Ding Dong scene - please walk up the audience aisles slowly and engage the audience in the song.  The reason we re-blocked this is so the audience can be engaged while we are changing the show set.   Take your time, and walk slowly, sing and dance in the aisles.  Try to stay out there for at least 1 1/2  minutes.

Costumes and Wardrobe

Boys - hang up suit jackets and pants after you change. If you need assistance  - ask!    If you are in a hurry,  hang things on the end of a rack.  We do not have time to press or steam all of them.

Costumes should be put on or in bins when not in use, not on the floor - they pick up a lot of dirt and dust that way.  Also then many of you can couldn't find things - i.e. shoes.

Some costumes are not being returned to racks jitterbug wings, leotards.  Only two lullaby league costumes were returned.

Check labels and wear your own costumes.

Trees - check your apples to see if anything needs to be repaired - make sure velcro is on tight.  Black gloves are part of your costume - they are in costuming - please wear them.

Monkeys - just after you big Oz scene in the second act, you need to get help in changing right away.  Please have all your monkey costume items laid out on individual chairs and ready to go.  Rohit needs to be given the priority to change first.  Following big Oz scene we need extra help in costuming to get monkeys,  trees and winkies changed. 

Poppies and snowflakes  - we will not dress so early - there is plenty of time after Munchkinland.  Before Munchkinland, stand way back in the hall so Stage Crew can get sets in quickly.  Then you may proceed on stage and to get into place when we call you.  Handle these costumes with care. If it is lost or ripped,we have no others and we have replaced many.

Other

Emma Apple, Kelly Mcqueston, Josh Huestis, Taylor Caba we need your cast party permission forms.


After show 

Band chairs are being returned in stacks to costuming, but not put back at
computer desks where they were taken from.

Stage Crew 

Please leave bunting (fabric on walls) removal to props to do.

YOU ROCKED IT!!!

You rocked the first show!  You were full of energy - your voices were beautiful. You all looked wonderful.  This first show was monumental and you rose to the challenge.  Our audience LOVED it!!!  

Thursday nights are tricky, and with an epic show like this, we just need to iron out a few little things here and there. So, please see the blog tomorrow when you get home from school for some very important notes.  

Rest up-   the Yellow Brick Road will take us even further on Friday!

Friday after curtain call, after the curtain closes, please stay on stage for our cast photo.  Please tell your parents this will take about 15 minutes after the performance.

OPENING NIGHT!!!!

Can you believe it is opening night?  All the hours and hours of work has come down to the next three days!  

Best of luck all of you!  We are incredibly proud of what this cast has accomplished!   

We'll see you soon!  You will be awesome!!!

TO OZ!

Some notes!

Hi Cast Members - 

Often times the rehearsal just before the show is a little rough - we know you were all exhausted Tuesday night.  And we know the energy will be with you on Thursday as adrenaline kicks in - you'll be ready for showtime.  You sounded amazing.  

Here are some notes:

• Every cast member is important to this show, and we want to see your costume, your hair, your makeup, your acting - You!  If you cannot see the audience, the audience cannot see you.  Adjust your location on stage to allow you to be seen by all!

• Wear your T-Shirt on Thursday and/or Friday if you have one!

• Those of you trying out for sports, your coaches have been notified to allow you to leave at  3:45 and 4:00 Thursday and Friday.

• Please bring something to do in the hallways when you are not on stage.  Board games, a deck of cards, puzzles, books, homework - just have something quiet and relaxing to take away any "stage jitters" you may have.  The audience can here noise in the hallways.

• Please remember thank the Pit Musicians and Stage Crew - they have worked hard to help make the stage and music really great this year

• We need your cast party permission slips  - it is attached here.

• Mrs. Morrell prepared a musical synopsis for entrances and scenes!  Make a copy and bring it with you.  This will be so helpful, especially for your parents who are volunteering.

Flower Sales Volunteers Needed

Please help us sell flowers for our deserving cast members!  We still need flower sale help for each of the shows before the show and at intermission.  Please contact Carrie Kennedy as soon as possible at caskennedyesquire@comcast.net.

Tickets on Sale Monday and Tuesday

Show Tickets!

Tickets will be on sale Monday, March 4 and Tuesday, March 5 during lunch periods.  You may also pick up previously ordered tickets at this time.  We are getting close to selling out the show, but there are still tickets available.  We will also be selling tickets at the door during performances.

Monday Evening Rehearsal

Monday night, March 4 - 

Hi Cast Members - 
We hope you had a chance to rest on Sunday!
We will begin Monday with Curtain Call practice at 6:30 sharp, then we will go right into the start of the show by 6:45pm.  No costumes or make-up.  Practice ends at 9:00pm.

If you want to sit quietly and watch the show, or if you need a quiet place to study, you may stay in the auditorium. You must sit in the center in the first 10 rows.  

If you want to socialize with your friends or work on homework, you may go to the cafeteria until your part is called.

Scripts and musical scores are due -
Please turn in your scripts  and/or musical scores on Monday and Tuesday.  We will be checking off your name when your script is turned in.  You cannot go to the cast party until we have these items.

Parents-
We need chaperones for Monday and Tuesday evening - please let us know if you are able to help.

See you tonight!

Bake and Refreshment Sale

CALLING ALL CAST AND CREW MEMBERS' FAMILIES:

The annual bake/refreshment sale will be held during each of the performances of  The Wizard of Oz. This event is an enormous fundraiser for the musical!  We will be selling desserts, bottled water, and soft pretzels.  All of the money raised goes directly into the musical funds to cover expenses and to help in future years.

We need EACH cast and crew member to provide ONE treat to be sold at the sale.  In order to provide fresh items for each show day/night, we are asking you to follow the schedule below. Please note that things should be packaged individually; for example, if you are baking brownies, please cut them and place one or two in a sealed baggie so that things are sized for one person to purchase them. Store-bought items and individually wrapped candy that is sized/packaged for one person to buy are also welcome.

If your LAST name begins with A-H, please bring your treat when you report on THURSDAY, March 7 for the show.

If your LAST name begins with I-O, please bring your treat when you report on FRIDAY, March 8 for the show.

If your LAST name begins with P-Z, please bring your treat when you report on SATURDAY afternoon, March 9 for the show.

There will be long tables set up just inside the main doors of GWES outside the cafeteria, you can just place your items there.

Please identify any treats containing tree nuts or peanuts.

Cast Calls for our final week

Wizard of Oz Cast / Pit / Crew call times for next week

Monday and Tuesday:  

please be to GWES by 6:15 so we can hit the ground running at 6:30

Wednesday night:  

get a good night sleep and rest your voice

For the shows:  Make sure you bring disposable water bottles(reusable ones end up lost and left behind) to drink throughout the show. Put your names on them.  

Thursday and Friday: 

Scarecrow, Wicked Witch, Dorothy, Lion, Tin Man, Glinda and Gloria 5:30 pm; report immediately to make-up in back hallway;  All cast members not listed here please report at 6pm; quickly get your costumes on and report to make-up.  You should already have the base coat of make-up on when you get to GWES. Those who wear microphones at the start of the show should report to sound for their mics once you have your make-up on but before you get your costume on.

Stage crew:  

please report at 6pm.  Those helping with Front of House (ushering, parking, good luck grams) please meet in front hall near the cafeteria to help set up. The rest of stage crew report to either lights, stage or props.  Wardrobe girls report to Mrs. Crisi and Mrs. Brown.  Stage crew should be dressed in all black as previously discussed.

Saturday: 

For the Matinee: Scarecrow, Wicked Witch, Dorothy, Lion, Tin Man, Glenda and Gloria at 11:30 am. 12 noon Rest of Cast and Stage Crew. Same basic instructions as above for Thursday and Friday.  Make sure you eat lunch before you arrive.  

**Parent Committee chairs:  please, if you are able, report to the auditorium at 1:15 where cast, pit and crew will be there for thank yous.

Parents:  

Note that after the Matinee all cast, crew and pit are to leave the building, get some dinner and report back at 6 pm to touch up make-up (DO NOT take off your make-up) get mics if you need, and put on costumes.  It is a tight turn around, but there will be no adults to supervise the students as the adults will need a break, too.

For the Saturday night show:  Everyone to report at 6pm.

CAST PARTY

( Yeah!)  for all Cast, Pit and Crew will follow the Final performance.  If you haven't turned in your cast party permission slip you will not be able to attend.  The permission slips are on the blog if you need one.  No one will be admitted to the cast party until they have checked out with wardrobe, turned on your music scores and scripts and gotten a stamp on your hand.  Your bins, for those who have them, must be empty, your belongings cleaned up and packed up.  Stage crew and Pit you will need put away the chairs and stands and help clean up the props and costumes so that they can be packed up for the return to the Middle School.  See Mrs. Kennedy.  All students to be picked up at 11:15 pm.

We are almost there! Thank you for today!

Hi Cast Members and Parents,

What an epic, yet exhausting day.  I am sure many cast members are already in bed on this Saturday night.  We are so proud of how hard you worked!  This is a complex show - we are so close  - and it all boils down to the next two rehearsals.

Did you know that our four shows will be sell-outs?  The next two practices will be crucial as we fine tune and nail down details that our audience will expect from us. 

Make up was beautiful and creative! 

Set design is coming together!

The costumes - fabulous!  

Pit Musicians - it is hard to believe most of you are in 6th grade - 
we are so proud of you.  Your musicianship adds so much to our show!

This will be the most demanding week of the year for you. Please get rested on Sunday.  Monday and Tuesday will be very demanding.

• Drink lots of water
• Try and eat well
• Use hand sanitizer
• Get at least 9  - 10 hours of sleep Sunday night.

Monday - we will start with curtain call practice.  See you at 6:15pm ready to hit the stage at 6:30pm.

Fogger 101

In a Fog...
A few days ago we requested volunteers to learn how to run our fog machine - a few of you responded, thank you! 

We have invited an instructor to the set, so if there is anyone else interested, please send your email to daysheaffer@comcast.net as soon as possible so I can coordinate the fog training session.

More time in Oz - Saturday Practice Extended to 4:00pm

Fellow Ozians and Munchkinlanders

Practice on Saturday, March 2 has been extended until 4:00pm.  Please let Mrs. Sheaffer or Mrs. Kennedy know if you cannot stay.  Thanks!

daysheaffer@comcast.net

caskennedyesquire@comcast.net

Friday's Rehearsal and Notes for Saturday

Friday, March 1 -  
is a full Cast Rehearsal with Pit Musicians from 6:30 - 8:30pm.  (With the exception of Front of House)  This is an important rehearsal, and with a few exceptions due to a High School activity, everyone should be at rehearsal.

On Saturday for Dress Rehearsal - 

• Our entire stage crew, musicians and cast will be together.   
• Put your bookbags and lunch in the Cafeteria.  
• Bring lunch, snacks, water, books and stuff to do when you are not on stage.  
• No eating in the auditorium.  Water is okay.
• Please arrive at 8:45am ready for make up as per the handouts you received on Wednesday.  Go to your bins (see procedure below), get dressed, and report for make-up.

We are asking for these Cast Members to arrive at 8:30am:
Tin Man
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Wicked Witch
Lion
Glinda
Gloria

We will have a meeting Friday evening before you leave to review these procedures for Saturday's Dress Rehearsal.  We will be starting at the top of the show.  Our goal is to start at 9:30 after every one is made up and ready in their costumes.

Bin Procedure and Changing Procedure

• There is a Boys Dressing Hallway and a Girls Dressing Hallway on opposite sides of the auditorium.  There is no walking from hall-to-hall.  
• Bins will be off the carts and lined up in the hallway - use them when you change and do not place costumes/clothes in the hallway to be stepped on
• You may not switch bins 
• Place your street clothes into the bin when you change into your first costume
• Return all costumes on hangers to the proper rack
• Take care not to get make-up on the costumes - it rubs off very easily
• Close up your bin at the end of the performance (account for all of your costume pieces and make-up bag!) and return it to the cart

• All performers need to be aware of the open doors to the stage as they are waiting /changing in the hallway.  You simply must be totally quiet - whisper only if necessary!  Show guests can hear every bit of noise back stage.

• We need to be respectful of General Wayne property.  There is a lot of fragile art on the walls, and this is where all of our moving on and off stage will take place.  

DVD's of the Musical !

We are pleased to announce that we will have a professional videographer on site to videotape our performances!

A copy of the taped/edited performance(s) will be available for purchase by our cast/crew/pit family & friends for $10 each.  Checks should be made out to GVMS Musical Club.  

Please complete THIS FORM and turn into Terry or Gene Flanagan in person or mail to: 
3401 Hartford Court
 Newtown Square, PA 19073

Orders must be received no later than 3/20/2013.  DVD’s will be distributed to GVMS students in school; all other orders will be contacted for pickup of their order at the Middle School office.