LAKEPORT — The production of “The Wizard of Oz” is chock full of both good and evil, set to music and full of all kinds of surprises. This is a show for the whole family, because good triumphs over evil in the end. The battle between Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West is something to see. Who will get the Ruby Slippers? Glinda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch or Dorothy?
The Wicked Witch of the West is played by Laura Sammel. Sammel became involved in the performing arts at a young age and starred in her first production at age 11. She spent many years studying and performing voice, dance and theater.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Sammel moved to Placerville as a child, lived in Santa Rosa and moved to Lake County in 2006, settling in Lakeport with her husband and three children. Having played the Wicked Witch for a children”s theater in Sacramento in 1987, Sammel said she was thrilled to reprise the role in a more grown-up version of the show.
Stephanie Lynn Regula plays Glinda the Good Witch. She has studied voice for 28 years and has performed in starring roles in musicals from California to Georgia and is currently a regular in the Christmas pageant in Middletown. Regula has also performed in “American Youth on Stage” at Micelis Italian restaurant in Universal City and was a finalist for the San Francisco Opera Company. She currently teaches voice locally.
“The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum will be performed by the Mendocino College Lake Campus performance and production class and Lake County Theater Company. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. May 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 with 2 p.m. matinees on May 15 and 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds” Little Theater.
Reserved seating costs $13 for members, seniors and students. General seating is $12 for adults and $10 for members, seniors and students, $10.
Reserved and general seating tickets are available at Catfish Books, 1013 11th St. in Lakeport, 263-4454. General seating is also available at Griffin”s Furniture, 14409 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, 994-2112.
