Lions and tigers and bears… OH MY! The 62nd season of the Natchez Little Theatre will kick off this week with the beloved musical “The Wizard of Oz.” We will start the performances at 7 p.m. Wednesday with a benefit performance, with proceeds being donated to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. Tickets for that event will be $10. The show will run beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and at 2 p.m. Sunday. All tickets for performances are $15.

This performance of “The Wizard of Oz” is part of the 2009 Summer Youth Workshop. The cast consists of 30 students with ages ranging from 8 to 24. Arden McMillan will lose her way from Kansas and make her NLT debut as Dorothy. Her traveling companions, Scarecrow, played by Darrick Little, will find his brain as Aaron White follows his heart as The Tin Man. Alethea Stewart, as The Cowardly Lion, will muster up some courage as this talented foursome will embark on a magical journey on the famous “Yellow Brick Road” to visit “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” portrayed by Dwight Williams.

Of course their journey will not be an easy one. After Dorothy finds herself surrounded by the loveable munchkins, she encounters the Wicked Witch of the West who is cleverly played by Sara Davis. Her journey is kept safe by Glinda the Good Witch of the North, played by Randa Morace. They will brave grumpy trees, poison poppies, magical snowmen, fancy-footed jitterbugs, winkies, Ozians and last but not least, the flying monkeys; who will be played by Avery McMillan, Eden McMillan, Taylor Spring, Colby Passman, Zoe Steed, Katie Borum, Braden Randall, Raenetta Robertson, Morgan Pentecost, Peyton Latham, Tess Latham, Shelby Stokes, Nicholas Carroll, Jaylin Gibson, Hadley Henry, Kennedy Wansley, Ashleigh Coley, Beau Stahlman, Amelia Orlando, Mary Katherine Mascagni, Morgan Farrar and Ann Sternberg.

I have had the opportunity to direct this talented group, along with Mr. Burnley Cook as musical director. Darlene McCune serves as assistant director; and Nicole Ballard, Elizabeth Cowan, Danielle Thornton, Jordan Richard and Patricia Knight are group leaders/stage managers.

The rest of the staff includes Caleb Havard, backstage hand, Tommy Jackson, lighting technician and Casey Gilbert as sound technician.

Please call The Natchez Little Theatre today at 601-442-2233 to make your reservations to see this spectacular show.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, you can take this opportunity to get your season membership or renew your membership.

Reservations and memberships can also be purchased by visiting our Web site www.natcheztheatre.com.

We look forward to seeing you at “The Wizard of Oz”

Landon Henry is the director of “The Wizard of Oz.”