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If you love "The Wizard of Oz," you won't be disappointed by A Three Fold Cord's version, but it won't be exactly the same story you've come to know from the movie.
"We are putting our own spin on it," said Larson. "The show will be the traditional Wizard of Oz, but the characters will be a little different than expected.
"There will be lots of surprises - enough of the original that people won't feel like we're doing a different show, but we've added some things to make it interesting and fun."
This year's production is extra special to Larson because it marks A Three Fold Cord's 10th anniversary. It was the spring of 1999 when the youth group at Zion United Church of Christ in Union called on other youth groups from churches all over the area to come together in creating a community theater group.
They took the name from Ecclesiastes 4:12, "A threefold cord is not easily broken," as a way of showing their unity.
The mission behind A Three Fold Cord is to praise God, share His Word and grow spiritually, Larson explained, pointing out the group is worthwhile for its educational aspects, as well as for its entertainment. The group is nondenominational, but its focus is presenting biblical-based musicals.
"We try to tie our Christian faith into all we do," said Larson.
A Three Fold Cord's first show was "Godspell," which was held at Union Auditorium. It was followed by "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," put on Borgia's old theater stage; "Jesus Christ Super Star" at The Calvin in Washington; "The Sound of Music"; "Fiddler on the Roof"; "Whistle Down the Wind"; "Joseph" again; "Narnia"; "Oliver!" and now, "The Wizard of Oz," all in Borgia's new theater.
Although the Wizard of Oz doesn't have an obvious Christian message, Larson said it fits well with the greatest commandment, "Love the Lord, your God, will all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew, 22:36).
"That ties directly into what the tin man, lion and scarecrow are seeking," she remarked.
To help the audience make the connection, the greatest commandment will be printed inside the programs.
As part of its Christian focus, A Three Fold Cord is also "Theater for a Cause." Each summer the group spotlights a charity, said Larson. This year it is an African orphanage sponsored by Three Fold Cord alumna, Holly Bartle, who is a professional model based in New York City.
Grown in Popularity
From the beginning A Three Fold Cord has been a hit with local youth, but over the last 10 years its popularity has grown beyond what Larson ever imagined.
"We had over 120 people audition this year," she said, smiling. "That's the most we've ever had audition. For 'The Sound of Music' and 'Narnia' we had around 90."
That's four times more than were involved in "Godspell," and more than double the number in the first production of "Joseph." The group is well-known in the community and its shows are well attended.
In the early years, A Three Fold Cord didn't charge admission, but took up free-will offerings. Now there is a charge for tickets (just $6 each), but that has enabled the group to grow and even offer scholarships.
College-bound students who have been involved with A Three Fold Cord write essays on how the group has touched them and what it has meant to them. The scholarship also is based on the students' commitment to A Three Fold Cord, noted Larson.
To help raise money for its scholarship program, A Three Fold Cord will hold a fundraising concert featuring the professional a cappella Christian doo-wop group Blend Saturday, July 18, at the SFBRHS theater. Tickets are $10 each.
Many of the young people who are part of A Three Fold Cord today have been with the group since its inception or early years. Meryl Brune, who will play Dorothy, was there with "Godspell." Her role was not on stage, but it was just as critical to the show's success.
"I stood at the door and asked for donations," said Brune, smiling.
The following year, she had a part on stage with the children's choir in "Joseph."
"We had a bunch of fun," she said.
Since then she's been in as many shows as her summer schedule permits. She's only missed two in 10 years.
Being involved with A Three Fold Cord is a huge commitment from young people, noted Larson. Meetings and rehearsals begin just after Memorial Day and are held three nights a week in June and July until the week of the show, when it's every night.
The show is a learning experience for all the students, not just in how theater works, also for character building. Many of the students said being involved with A Three Fold Cord has taught them confidence, group dynamics, respect, patience, among other things.
The students are in as many leadership roles as possible and are responsible for the show's outcome as much as any of the adult volunteers, said Larson.
"It's their show," she remarked.
New students are always joining the theater group each year. Some, like 14-year-old Grace Smith (who will play the part of a flying monkey), follow in their siblings' footsteps. Others, like Webster University student Ben Farrar, come by word of mouth.
Farrar, who will play the Tin Man, had been involved in theater all four years when he was at Washington High School. He had wanted to get involved with A Three Fold Cord with some of his friends, but never found the time.
Now he's able to keep up with his passion for theater while pursuing a degree in journalism.
Playing a part in A Three Fold Cord production is different than what Farrar experienced in his high school shows, mainly because of the large number of young children involved.
"It adds a different aspect," said Farrar. "As an older cast member, I'm seen as a role model, which makes it more worthwhile. The bonds I'm able to make with the children as cast mates are special."
Emily Lochirco, a fifth-grader at St. Francis Borgia Grade School, joined A Three Fold Cord for "Narnia." This year she will be the mayor of Munchkinland.
"It's fun being on stage," said Lochirco. "I like getting into character, getting to meet a lot of new kids in the community."
Who Can Participate
Kids age 7 and up are welcome to be a part of A Three Fold Cord. They aren't required to have any theatrical experience before getting involved, said Larson, but if they want a stage part, they should be able to read well.
"If they don't, we don't hold that against them," she said. "Some 7-year-olds come in with a lot of potential, but they might not be ready so we don't put them on stage yet - that would ruin theater for them."
At the auditions, children are required to sing a song and do a cold read from the script. They also talk to the kids to try to get to know them a little.
"Unfortunately, we have to turn some kids away," said Larson. "We have turned away some who were really fantastic."
Kids also are needed to fill orchestra roles and provide technical support.
Adult Volunteers
Although A Three Fold Cord is all for the kids, the shows couldn't go on without the help from a number of adult volunteers. Pam Hacker, costume director for the last nine years, is charged this year with creating 100 or more costumes with 500 to 1,000 pieces including shoes, hats and other accessories.
"We have 80 kids cast and some of them are playing two and three roles," said Hacker.
"Some of our costumes have been used in all 10 shows," she said. "This year we will be borrowing or renting a few, maybe the Lion and the Tin Man, but others we'll build, mainly from things we find at resale shops."
As many as 15 people man sewing machines getting the costumes ready, said Hacker. One of them is a friend of hers who doesn't even have a child in the show.
Tim Buchheit, theater director for SFBRHS, manages the bulk of the technical work (lights and sound) for A Three Fold Cord, although students run it during the shows
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Laurie Riekhof, who teaches elementary music classes at Clearview and Fifth Street schools in Washington, has been A Three Fold Cord's musical and choral director for the last seven years. She took the reins from Karen Stafford, who still volunteers as a musician in the orchestra.
"I used to do summer theater in Hermann," said Riekhof, noting back then she was on stage. "Now I like being behind the scenes.
"These kids all want to be here, which makes a difference," she remarked.
For more information on A Three Fold Cord, people can visit www.3foldcord.org.
Tickets for "The Wizard of Oz" can be purchased from anyone in the show or at the door, if it doesn't sell out.
