Senior Jayla Hemann (center) performs in the lead role of Dorothy Gale alongside fellow cast members on Thursday, Nov. 13, during the Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School’s final dress rehearsal of the musical “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Turn to the back page for a full photo gallery from the Thursday run-through which took place before the weekend’s Saturday and Sunday performances. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

REINBECK – There was most certainly no place like the Gladbrook-Reinbeck JH/HS Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16, as the high school drama department staged an absolutely stellar production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

From lead Jayla Hemann’s impeccable depiction of Dorothy Gale to Hudson Clark’s captivating embodiment of the Scarecrow – a role he was clearly born to play – to Kennedy Brant’s iconic turn as the Wicked Witch of the West, there was no shortage of talent in the fall production this season.

The full cast numbers – particularly anything involving the Munchkins – were equally on point, giving the audience so much to drink in, attending the musical more than once would not have been a poor choice in the slightest.

Former director Cecilia Shutt – who left G-R to take a position at Waukee High School following the 2024-25 school year – clearly left production of the district’s musical in good hands with teacher-directors Greg Tesendorf, Kayla Nissen, and Courtney George; special guest director Michele Knaack; special guest vocal director Caleb Shonk; and artistic director Jenavieve Grover.

C O N G R A T U LA T I O N S to the cast, directors, and crew on a truly spectacular production. There really is no place like the G-R fall musical!

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School presents “The Wizard of Oz”

CAST MEMBERS

Dorothy Gale: Jayla Hemann

Aunt Em: Olivia Riffey

Glinda the Good Witch: Leila Thesing

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard: Gavin Blakesley

Zeke/Cowardly Lion: Corbin Hutchison

Hickory/Tinman: Brinn Schneider

Hunk/Scarecrow: Hudson Clark

Miss Almira Gulch: Avery Boyer

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Wicked Witch of the West: Kennedy Brant

Professor Chester Marvel/Wizard Of Oz: Nathan Smiley

Munchkin Mayor: Elliott Coster

Munchkin Fiddler: Lauren Allen

Munchkin Coroner: Caleb Pifkin

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Munchkin Barrister: Bennett Sieh

Braggart: Dally Nicholas

Winkie General: Bennett Sieh

Nikko: Elliott Coster

Munchkin and Ozian: Shakya Bents

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Crows: Kinzie Hemann, Kinzee Hemann, Addison Ross

Trees: Chad Gutknecht, Bennett Sieh, Elliott Coster, Kooper Larsen

Poppies: Mai Knaack, Dally Nicholas, Amya Blohm, Reese Schneider, Karina Arvizu-Ersland

Lollipop Guild: Macklin Clark, Laken Thesing, Brayton Dripps

Lullaby League: Mai Knaack, Reese Schneider, Amya Blohm

Jitterbugs: Dally Nicholas, Amya Blohm, Lauren Allen, Ryanne White, Avery Boyer, Mai Knaack

Flying Monkeys: Kinzie Hemann, Reese Schneider, Karina Arvizu-Ersland, Macklin Clark, Lauren Allen, Addy Ross

Munchkin and Ozian: Lael Thesing

Munchkin and Ozian: Milo Hemann

Toto: Flash Hemann

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER