Courtesy photo Surrounded by Munchkins, Dorothy and Toto encounter Glinda the Good Witch who tells them that in order to have their questions answered they must travel to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz. Rehearsing for the Altoona Area Junior High School’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” are (from left): standing front –– Mallory Ganz (Toto), Charlotte White (Dorothy), Campbell Fleegle (Munchkin Burly), Kayla Wolfe (Munchkin Curly), Munchkin Joe (Tenley Keefer) and Grace Pensyl (Glinda).

Preview show for senior citizens to be held Nov. 20

The Altoona Area Junior High School Drama Club will present “The Wizard of Oz.”

A senior citizen preview will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. Public performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, and Friday, Nov. 22, with a matinee show at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. All performances will take place in the Altoona Area Junior High School auditorium.

L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life in “The Wizard of Oz.” Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a cyclone from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz.

There, she encounters a host of whimsical characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold.

To find her way home, she must journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City.

Along the way, she makes new friends, but must also brave many dangers, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who will stop at nothing to get her hands-on Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers.

To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: there’s no place like home.

With more than 70 actors and almost 25 crew members, “The Wizard of Oz” is sure to be entertaining and fun for everyone.

The show is being directed and produced by drama club faculty advisers Stacy Palilla and Jordan Giordano, along with assistants Lindsay Smith, Lucy Craig and Ashley Cover.

General admission tickets will only be on sale at the door and will cost $10 for adults and $5 for children/students. Doors open 45 minutes before each show.