Parkland High School Theater students will be performing their own version of the musical "The Wizard of Oz" onstage April 10-13.

This two-act musical tells the story of Dorothy Gale from Kansas who is separated from her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry Gale during a tornado and tries to find her way back home.

Along her way through Munchkinland, a cornfield, apple orchard and forest she meets a scarecrow without a brain, a tin woodsman without a heart and a cowardly lion.

This musical is based on the classical motion picture "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.

Victoria Bartkavage portrays Dorothy Gale. Megan Schmidt plays the Scarecrow.

"Dorothy is the main character in the show," Bartkavage said. "She lives a dull life in Kansas but she dreams of transporting to another world where there is no trouble and that world is of course Oz.

"I love playing my character because she is entirely different from my own personality but I connect with her because I sometimes want to escape from life."

Bartkavage said she devoted a good deal of her time to doing the musical.

"The play is pretty much the biggest thing I do every year, so it takes up most of my time and energy, but I would not have it any other way, she said.

Schmidt said her character has no brains and is very clumsy and, in a way, innocent.

"The scarecrow is not a sturdy creature and tends to fall a lot," she said. "I love how physical this show is. There is hardly a moment when I'm standing still.

"I also love trying to connect with a character so different from me."

Schmidt said she loves everything about the play and the entire experience has been so awesome and extremely rewarding.

"Everyone here works so hard. I feel like I have learned so much," Schmidt said.

Michael Falco commented on his role as the Tin Woodsman.

"The Tin Man is a hopeless romantic who lost his heart along with the rest of his body following an accident with his axe," Falco said. "He travels with Dorothy to get a heart so he can once again love his Munchkin Maiden."

Falco said he loves playing the Tin Man because of the physicality.

"Over the past few months I've spent a lot of time focusing on how to act like a man with metal joints and it's been amazing to see myself grow as an actor," he explained.

Falco said being in the show is an awesome experience because it is amazing to watch it grow from a room of 50 people in January to the theatrical spectacle it is in April.

"We all grow together as a cast and it is great to see the progress we make," he said.

Evan Hall discussed his role as the Cowardly Lion.

"He is a lion who is constantly in fear of everything around him," Hall said. "He is ashamed because he is supposed to be the king of the forest, but none of the other animals respects him."

Hall said everything the Lion does and everything about him is big.

"I just love being in the play because by the end of the process we are one big family," Hall said.

Frank Anonia, music director at Parkland High School and director, producer and vocal director of "The Wizard of Oz" commented on the production.

"I think we try to do something different each year," Anonia said. "And this is our first family friendly show. I think it was the right choice for the talent we have this year."

The show is choreographed by Assistant Director Kelly Jean Graham with music directed by Pit Orchestra Director Jim Tully.

"The Wizard of Oz" will be presented 7:30 p.m. April 10-13 and 3:30 p.m. April 13 in the high school auditorium.

Tickets for all shows are sold out.