By all accounts, the opening night of the Wizard of Oz was a wonderful success.  Audience members arrived early for a reception and silent auction.  During intermission, Scarecrow auctioned off two more items in a live auction.  In all, the auction raised about $1,200 for the Kidz Krew Building Fund.  The Creative Arts Center is trying to raise $25,000 to renovate a downtown building and bring live theater back to Bonham.

This production of Wizard of Oz is a collaborative effort between the Red River Community Theater and the Creative Arts Center Kidz Krew.  Writer and Director Lisa Avila stated it was the first time the two groups have worked together on a production and it has been great fun.

In all, 26 actors of all ages spent numerous hours getting ready for opening night on July 15.  The audience laughed heartily, clapped loudly and cheered often as the actors told the tale of Dorothy’s adventures in Oz. 

Avila wrote this adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s timeless story.  She based much of this play off the book and included several characters that were left out of the very famous movie version of the story.  She also added in lots of humor, some new songs and a few fun twists.  After the opening night play was over, audience members mixed and mingled with the cast, getting autographs and highly praising the actors’ performances.

Performances will be at 7:00 p.m. on July 23 and at 2:00 p.m. on July 24 at the old Windom school.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for kids ages 12 and under.  Tickets can be purchased at the Creative Arts Center at 200 West Fifth Street in Bonham.  If available, tickets will also be sold at the door. 

For more information call (903) 640-2196.

All photos by Sandy Barber