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Scarecrow’s the bomb for this young actor

By Chris Argiro
May 5, 2006

I cannot remember how many times I have seen this great movie. I have watched The Wizard of Oz just before school begins every year. My favourite character was, and still is, the Scarecrow. I have always dreamed about being the Scarecrow in a play.

I once even dreamed about being Dorothy, but when I thought about how excrutiatingly painful shaving my legs would be, I continued dreaming about being the Scarecrow.

When the list of the cast was put up on our classroom door, I was so excited to be able to play my favourite character.

Now, two months later, I have my lines memorized and I’m still excited to go to all the rehearsals and practices.

I love acting. There is something about being in front of crowds that excites me and makes me happy. Everyone involved in the production at E.A. Fairman is excited and stressed. But when the curtains open for our first performance, I’m sure everyone will be relieved and excited to see how their hard work has paid off. I love The Wizard of Oz and I am very anxious for those curtains to open on the night of our performance.
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E.A. Fairman students off to see the Wizard


Apr 24, 2007 By: This Week staff

May 5, 2006

WHITBY -- You couldn't blame someone if, last May 1 or May 2, they clicked their heels together and said, "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Whitby, anymore!"

That's because hundreds of students, teachers, staff and parents are still recovering from Wizard of Oz fever at E.A. Fairman Public School in Whitby.

The 276-student school, called a "great community school," by E.A. Fairman principal Linda Lopato, has been off to see the wizard for many months now.

Starring Grade 8 student Jessica Beckett, a standout in the school choir as Dorothy, no doubt the cast and crew had audience members following the yellow brick road with a smile on their faces.

Ms. Lopato says rehearsals for the production, which ran May 1 and 2 with a matinee May 2 as well, were intense and ongoing for a number of months. Ticket demand was so high the show was presented at Christian Family Homes auditorium in behind Toys R Us. That auditorium seats about 500, far bigger than the Fairman gym, which could only handle about 100.

Many parents chipped in to help create the lavish sets that were needed to bring the Wizard to life. Some 120 students were involved ranging in age from Grade 2 munchkins to Grade 8 leads. Every staff member at the small school took part in the production and many volunteers also chipped in to help out.

It was truly a team event with all school community members pitching in to help make the show go on.

"Everybody is psyched up and the whole school is just breathing the Wizard of Oz right now," said Ms. Lopato, just days before the performances.

She says this Wizard of Oz production followed the classic movie version to the letter. That means audience members got to hear well-loved classics like "Somewhere over the Rainbow," "If I only had a Brain," and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road."

There's no doubt that on opening night, when the bright lights hit, the entire cast shone. And, with Dorothy leading the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion on her quest, the Wicked Witch of the West didn't stand a chance.