Pooling talents for 'Wizard of Norridge'
BY WYNN KOEBEL FOSTER STAFF WRITERwfoster@pioneerlocal.com
The staff and students at Norridge Park's pool will pay tribute to the district's golden anniversary on Aug. 5 and 6 with their 2006 water show -- "The Wizard of Norridge."
"We're taking a look back at the park district's first water shows from about 30 years ago," said director Lenny DePasquale. "We're setting up an LCD projector in the grassy field south of the pool for video feed from early recorded shows."
The show's plot, based on "The Wizard of Oz," will be familiar to most spectators: The hippest lifeguard, played by Katie Bundalo, auditions for the part of Dorothy, but she's cast instead as the Wicked Witch of the Slides. She sets out to sabotage Dorothy, played by Rhonda Rey. Will she manage to stop Dorothy? Will she ruin the entire show?
A surprise twist catapults Dorothy from 1956 to 2006. She finds magical ruby red flippers and follows the red brick road around the pool. She's helped by some new friends -- the Scareguard (played by Alex Swantek), the Fin Man (Erica McQueen), the Cowardly Sea Lion (Patrick Christl) and Glen the Good Witch (Andy Swantek) -- along her way. Will Dorothy and her companions defeat the Wicked Witch of the Slides? Will she reach the Wizard of Norridge? Will she finally learn "There's No Place Like Norridge?"
The cast is supported this year by almost 60 synchronized swimmers.
"This is the largest number we've had in years," DePasquale said. "The dedication each and every kid puts into the show will surely make it a huge success."
Patrick Christl provides technical backstage support to DePasquale. The cast is coached by Melissa Bond, Lauren Fabian, Nikki Nardi-Mikulski, Alex Swantek and Susan Walsh.
Three performances are scheduled: 8:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Seating is first come, first served. The gates will be opened one hour before each performance begins.
In case of inclement weather, no refunds will be given. Rain checks will be available for the Aug. 5 opening night and Aug. 6 matinee performances only. Concessions will be available for all shows. Admission is $3 per person. Children 2 years of age and younger will be admitted free. Call Norridge Park, 4631 N. Overhill Ave., at (708) 457-1244.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/no/08-03-06-993577.html
The staff and students at Norridge Park's pool will pay tribute to the district's golden anniversary on Aug. 5 and 6 with their 2006 water show -- "The Wizard of Norridge."
"We're taking a look back at the park district's first water shows from about 30 years ago," said director Lenny DePasquale. "We're setting up an LCD projector in the grassy field south of the pool for video feed from early recorded shows."
The show's plot, based on "The Wizard of Oz," will be familiar to most spectators: The hippest lifeguard, played by Katie Bundalo, auditions for the part of Dorothy, but she's cast instead as the Wicked Witch of the Slides. She sets out to sabotage Dorothy, played by Rhonda Rey. Will she manage to stop Dorothy? Will she ruin the entire show?
A surprise twist catapults Dorothy from 1956 to 2006. She finds magical ruby red flippers and follows the red brick road around the pool. She's helped by some new friends -- the Scareguard (played by Alex Swantek), the Fin Man (Erica McQueen), the Cowardly Sea Lion (Patrick Christl) and Glen the Good Witch (Andy Swantek) -- along her way. Will Dorothy and her companions defeat the Wicked Witch of the Slides? Will she reach the Wizard of Norridge? Will she finally learn "There's No Place Like Norridge?"
The cast is supported this year by almost 60 synchronized swimmers.
"This is the largest number we've had in years," DePasquale said. "The dedication each and every kid puts into the show will surely make it a huge success."
Patrick Christl provides technical backstage support to DePasquale. The cast is coached by Melissa Bond, Lauren Fabian, Nikki Nardi-Mikulski, Alex Swantek and Susan Walsh.
Three performances are scheduled: 8:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Seating is first come, first served. The gates will be opened one hour before each performance begins.
In case of inclement weather, no refunds will be given. Rain checks will be available for the Aug. 5 opening night and Aug. 6 matinee performances only. Concessions will be available for all shows. Admission is $3 per person. Children 2 years of age and younger will be admitted free. Call Norridge Park, 4631 N. Overhill Ave., at (708) 457-1244.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/no/08-03-06-993577.html
