Young Township Actors Perform in 'The Wiz'

The Junior and Senior Performing Arts Companies of Front & Center for Performing Arts in Springfield, which features young actors from Millburn and Short Hills, will present The Wiz Friday through Sunday.

The Wiz is a high-energy adaptation of The Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy is blown by a tornado to the Land of Oz. Once there she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, defeats an evil witch and has many adventures along her journey to find that “there’s no place like home.”

The cast features Millburn and Short Hills residents Zoe Argirou, William Kaiser, Lindsay and Alex Maron, Shaiya and Minka Fand, Willa Besner, Halle Just, Nicole Lam, Katie Seifer, and Sarah Vesecky. This year’s show, produced by Page O’Connor, with artistic direction by Renee Palermo, features 62 of Front & Center’s young performers ranging in age from 5 to 18.

The performance of The Wiz will be on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 29, at 1:30 p.m.

Entering its tenth year, Front & Center for Performing Arts (www.front-n-center.com, 973-258-1123), located at 95 Victory Road in Springfield, offers classes for children in dance, drama, voice, and musical theater at all skill levels and provides the opportunity to grow artistically in a nurturing, fun, and family-oriented environment. Many classes are taught by professional artists and master teachers. Front & Center caters to the needs of both the serious and the recreational student. 

The Wiz will be performed at the Ridge Performing Arts Center in Basking Ridge at 268 South Finley Ave. Tickets are $20 and $25 and can be purchased online at www.ridgepac.com or at the door.