Kittanning Final Musical Same as the First

by Jonathan Weaver

Nearly 30 years ago, Kittanning Senior High opened their new auditorium with the musical “The Wizard of Oz.”

On the brink of the school’s closure, it will end the same way – with a new “The Wizard of Oz” cast commemorating the school’s musical history and the 1986 musical version this weekend.

Director Craig Klukan graduated from nearby Ford City High two years after Music Teacher Don Fine led Senior Marcy Troutman as “Dorothy” and the rest of the newly-consolidated cast.

“We just thought about going full-circle and making it the last musical,” Klukan said. “That was the main reason we chose this.”

The current cast of about 35 students even went to New York to see a Broadway performance of “Wicked” and engage in a performance workshop. Klukan hopes to continue as musical director next year, but Armstrong School District board directors have not yet decided those contracts.

Junior Kendall Peters, who splits her time between being a crow, a tot in the Lullaby League, a Poppy and a Winky soldier, was among the several students that looks forward to the curtain rising this Friday.

“We might as well end it the way we started,” Peters said.

Musical theater has essentially taken over Madison Starr Kunst’s life – she’s been involved in 21 performances -, but now she’s only focusing on her lead role of “Dorothy.”

“I think it will be exciting to go to the new school, being exposed to new things, but I will definitely miss Kittanning High School’s auditorium,” Kunst said. “It’s a dream come true being ‘Dorothy’ in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”

Kunst, a junior who was also named ‘Miss Armstrong County Outstanding Teen’ earlier this year, has performed twice in Armstrong Community Theater’s version of “Wizard of Oz” before, but as a Munchkin.

“It’s stressful sometimes, but I love it so much,” Kunst said. “It’s bittersweet – I put so much time into it, learning every single line, every single dance. You have to practice outside of rehearsal, or else it’s not going to be perfect. I think there’s only one scene I’m not in.”

“The Wizard” will be voiced by freshman Nolan Turco (who will also literally step out from behind a curtain to reveal that he is not a giant green face).

A cross country and tennis athlete, Turco isn’t known for his yelling and booming voice as the titular character has, but was still encouraged by his brother, Kittanning Senior High alum Nathan (who performed in the musical production of “Grease”) to audition.

Turco, who also plays the part of “Professor Marvel,” complimented the lead cast members who have hundreds of lines to read – including “Scarecrow,” who’s played by Senior Cassie Clouse.

Clouse first became interested in acting after seeing the Kittanning Senior High version of “Into the Woods” when she was in seventh grade.

Clouse, who will be enrolled in Bradford Business School in Pittsburgh for graphic design this fall, was excited after November auditions and said audiences will see many of their favorite scenes from the 1939 original movie – except for some new music and Junior Ava Bosco as a “Tin Woman.”

“We already knew the choices during the summer, but it was announced as “The Wizard of Oz” at the beginning of the school year,” Clouse said. “I was very excited, because everybody loves the story.

“It’s so crazy to think about - there have been so many productions done here, and just to think that we’re closing it out and to think that I’m the last “Scarecrow” that will ever be at Kittanning is kind-of nerve-wracking, but it’s awesome at the same time.”

The musical was also opened up to Kittanning Junior High students to play extras, and eighth-grader Donavon McDonald took advantage of the opportunity. There are about a half-dozen junior students who play Ozonians, munchkins and monkeys.

McDonald, who also performed in the junior high play “In Search of the Dodo Bird” last month, said the opportunity to be on the high school stage as the head monkey will help prepare him for next year at Armstrong Junior-Senior High.

“I really like it – it’s nerve-wracking and kind-of crowded sometimes, but its fun,” McDonald said.

Senior Toby Johns was confident he would close out his high school career performing as “Lion” due to his red curly hair – even if is only his second high school production. He inherited the performing gene from his parents, as did his sister, Kenya (a 2008 Kittanning Senior High graduate).

“It was just kind-of a matter of time – I wasn’t sure of course – but I got the part,” Johns said.

It’s almost instinct for Johns to read the part and to roll his tongue (as he does in his song “King of the Forest” after taking Spanish courses. He identified himself as a passive person – much like “Lion” – but has also learned to stand up for himself.

He regrets not being involved in theater earlier in high school, but expects a large audience this weekend, not just because of it being the final musical.

“Kittanning has always been one of the best musical performances, I think, in the county, and lots of people might agree with that. All of our shows are really good at incorporating the actors, stage crew and the lights,” Johns said. “Mr. Klukan and (Music Teacher) Pat Cavanaugh and everyone else have done a really good job making sure this is a really good musical performance.”

Senior Rachel Ebig will also be just as dramatic as the stereotypical “Wicked Witch of the East,” but she made some of the lines funnier

“It’ll definitely be one of our better shows,” Ebig said. “I know I’ll definitely miss musical a lot.”

Limited reserved tickets are still available for the three performances, scheduled for 7PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Klukan has already heard from several alumni interested in attending or helping out.

Tickets will be on sale from 2:30 to 6:30PM Tuesday and Thursday at the Arts Center box office or are $10 at the door.