VPA’s largest production ever prepares for opening night

WASILLA — After more than a year of planning, one of Valley Performing Arts largest productions —“The Wizard of Oz” — is a week away from opening night.

“We are close. It’s a grand endeavor is what I like to refer to it as,” ‘Oz’ director Larry Bottjen said Thursday.

That “grand endeavor” involves five painted backdrops, 50 or so actors — more than 20 of whom are children — numerous costume changes, special effects that entailed excavating under the theater, and hours upon hours of planning.

“It’s a logistical nightmare sometimes backstage because our wings are so small,” Bottjen said. “That is where the rubber really hits the road.”

But amidst all that, there’s more than a little bit of pride on the line for all those involved, and Bottjen is not the least of them.

“Last night we had that first real glimmer of greatness in the show,” he said of Wednesday’s full run-through rehearsal.

It takes a lot to bring the show together. But Bottjen and others in the VPA orbit hope it will come with a big payoff, showing the Valley and funding organizations just how ready VPA is for a bigger, better theater.

Opening night is slated for Friday, March 23 and performances continue through April 29. Tickets are going fast. Bottjen said half of the tickets released Wednesday night for three shows are already sold. Tickets can be purchased at the theater or online at valleyperformingarts.org.

Part of VPA’s growth has meant turning away people looking for tickets on a specific night is a common occurrence.

That’s good and bad; bad because they have to turn people away, and good because it shows how popular the productions are.

“It’s good for us because it creates that sense of you better get your tickets early because the good shows go fast,” Bottjen said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.