AJ citizens boot-strap ‘Oz’ play with enthusiasm

Former Apache Junction Mayor Doug Coleman crouched behind a set of yellow-brick stairs on the stage of the Apache Junction Performing Arts Center in his gray hooded sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, waiting for his cue.

VIDEO: See the efforts backstage

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“Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore,” said Cassie Bradshaw, playing Dorothy, and moments later in flew Glinda, the Good Witch, held aloft by a harness-and-pulley system.

Then dozens of Munchkinlike giggles came from behind dozens of bright paper flowers, where Four Peaks Elementary School students hid, waiting to “come out, come out” and perform their big number. The stage around them buzzed with activity.

In the orchestra pit, band students practiced the familiar score, as did the school’s registrar who volunteered to play piano accompaniment.

Just backstage, art teacher Amy Dalby painted the backdrop for the Enchanted Forest of “The Wizard of Oz,” the largest production Apache Junction High School has ever attempted — a production that has pulled together people from all over this East Valley city.

With no money in the district budget for the show and a cast and crew that would require hundreds of participants, drama teacher Paul Lanphear went to the community for help.

Residents responded with $15,000 in donations and hundreds of volunteer hours — from seniors who sewed and painted, to elementary schoolers who sing and dance, and even teachers and local dignitaries who signed on to take the stage.

Joy McNulty saw a notice in the newspaper asking for volunteers to help with sets, costuming or whatever other talent they wanted to contribute.

A retired widow who says she has a lot of time on her hands, McNulty contacted Lanphear to see how she could be of service.

“I took on responsibility for the Munchkins’ costumes,” she said. “I had no idea about the sizes, but I created some skirts and knickers.”

Eighteen of each, to be exact, to outfit the elementary school students who inhabit Munchkinland during the four-day run of the show.

She worked intensely for about two weeks to finish those and several other costumes, keeping the designs simple and easily adjusted, because without a full-time costume designer, alterations would need to be done quickly and simply.

Lanphear said without the community support from people like McNulty, the show, which starts Wednesday, could not go on.

“Usually, it’s just me and I have to put a lot of responsibility on the kids to get it done,” he said. “But I couldn’t have done that with something this size. This is the biggest thing I’ve ever done and it’s really thanks to this community.”

Coleman said he decided to take to the stage as mayor of the Munchkin City because he enjoys seeing the kids outside the classroom and he thinks having adults around outside of the school day is beneficial for them, as well.

He said he’s impressed with how many helped with the “Wizard.”

“This is good for our community,” Coleman said. “Everyone is coming together, donating their time and money. It says a lot about who we are.”

District spokeswoman Betty Swanson agreed with Coleman, saying she’d never seen the Apache Junction community rally behind a school production in such a big way before.

“Everyone is contributing,” she said. “It shows that, in a way, we really are still a small town, even though we’re getting bigger.”

Off to see the Wizard
What: “The Wizard of Oz”
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Apache Junction Performing Arts Center, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive
Admission: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $6 for students (5-18 years old)
Information: (480) 982-1110, Ext. 2014