Wizard Visits Mililani For Sake Of Arts

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Chloe Amos and Ginny take on the classic roles of Dorothy
and her dog Toto Oct. 14 in Oahu Arts Center’s Wizard of
Oz. Photo from the arts center.

In Oahu Arts Center’s first musical production, a home-grown cast of talent will present Wizard of Oz Oct. 14 “under the stars” at Mililani Mauka Community Park.

Dorothy, Toto, the Wicked Witch, the Scarecrow and the rest will come alive in the classic tale at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for ages 17 and under. To order, call OAC at 848-7632 or visit http://www.oahuartscenter.org

Kristi Kashimoto, a Mililani High graduate with numerous profession stage credits, directs a local cast of volunteers from the community. Mililani Middle School sixth-grader Chloe Amos plays Dorothy, and while this is her first lead role in a musical, Amos’ previous credits include the independent feature film Local Bruisers, a USC film Crossroads and being an extra in the ABC show American Inventor. She also starred in the Art Institute of Portland short film Obake and was most recently cast in the Honolulu Broadway Babies production of Broadway Mixed Plate 2006: Fresh Off The Boat.

“The cast is very tight, they’ve created an amazing chemistry with each other,” said Kashimoto.”(They) have come together to put together this production for one night - which is a huge undertaking. I’m really hoping the community comes out.”

Eli K.M. Foster portrays The Scarecrow, Mikuni Munsayac is The Cowardly Lion, Matthew Walker is The Tin Man, Mike Walker (Matthew’s father) is the almighty Wizard himself. Elizabeth Maddock plays Glenda and doubles as the show’s music director, and Jessica Chufo portrays the Wicked Witch of the West. Toto is played by Ginny the dog.

Through its capital campaign, the arts center plans to fund the construction of a two-story education and performance venue with a 873-seat auditorium, an outdoor courtyard and underground parking area all on three acres of commercially zoned land. They expect to break ground in 2010. Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii Inc. donated the land, which is located in the area of Meheula Parkway, Lehiwa Drive and Kua’oa Street.

The center would be available to all of Oahu, but would primarily serve residents in Haleiwa, Kapolei, Mililani, Wahiawa, Waialua, Waianae, Waikele, Waipahu and Waipio.