Theatergoers in search of a dazzling musical are in luck when the Tamaqua Area Community Theatre proudly presents "Oz!"

Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Tamaqua Community Art Center.The cost is $10 for general admission and $8 for students under 14 and senior citizens over 65.Directed by Zane Bachert, "Oz!" is based on the L. Frank Baum classic story "The Wizard of Oz."Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc. of Englewood, Colorado, "Oz!" has all of the well-known characters from the stories and movies, Bachert said."The Tamaqua Area Community Theatre decided on this as our kids show because we know that the 'Wizard of Oz' is a story loved by all," Bachert said. "We wanted to bring such a story to life in a new way and delight audiences with the story they fell in love with long ago."Bachert said the group has been working on the show for about the past eight weeks.Cast members include Aimee Celine Hull (Dorothy) of Tamaqua; Jonathan M. Blackwell-Rogers (Cowardly Lion) of Lehighton; Mya Heffner (Scarecrow) of West Penn Township; Bachert (Tin Woodsman) of Tamaqua; Laura Williams (Wicked Witch) of Lehighton; and George C. Hegedus IV (Oz) of New Ringgold.Other cast members include Rachel Hinkle (Glinda the Good/monkey/citizen) of Tamaqua; Reilly Bauer (China Princess/citizen) of Panther Valley School District; Mason Job (Guardian of the Gates One) of Barnesville; Tabitha Cheeseman (Guardian of the Gates Two) of Nesquehoning; Mia Jones (Winged Monkey One) of Tamaqua; Andrew Surotchak (Winged Monkey Two/fighting tree) of Coaldale; Julia Romankow (Boq) of Lansford; Corey Martin (Loq) of Coaldale; Tammilyn McGeehan (Toq) of Tamaqua; Kandy Kraemer (Aunt Em/citizen) of Hometown; Amelia Wiliams (poppy/Winged Monkey One/Munchkin) of Lehighton; Riley Kraemer (fighting tree) of Hometown; Kelsey Kraemer (poppy/monkey/Munchkin) of Hometown; Savannah Cheeseman (poppy/monkey/Munchkin) of Nesquehoning; Grant Johns (Munchkin) of Tamaqua; Suzanne Johns (Munchkin/poppy) of Tamaqua; Dana Sadusky (Munchkin) of Lansford; Lianna Coombe-Holley (Munchkin/poppy) of Tamaqua; and Kiara Sandy (Munchkin/poppy) of Lansford.The production crew is made up of Bachert (director, lights/sound design, set design); Michelle Hudson Woodland (musical director); Blackwell-Rogers (choreographer/costume design); Angie Heffner (light/sound technician); Will Heffner (set assistance); and Kandy Kraemer (props).Bachert said he has high hopes for the production."I hope that the audience will come and enjoy the amazing work that all of these wonderful kids have put into this show," he said."The show truly demonstrates the strong talents the youth of our area have. Also, I hope that all audiences will come in and fall in love with the magic of 'Oz!' one more time."