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Michelle Chan

If you  enjoy classic musicals and want to help raise money for charity, here's your chance.

Professional non-profit theatre company DEER Theatre,  is staging The Wizard of Oz next weekend, and donating profits to the Children's Cancer Foundation.

The well-loved tale, written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum,  follows the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy  who gets picked up by a tornado and dropped  in magical Land of Oz.

There she makes new friends,  fights an evil witch, and realises the importance of home.

A favourite with generations of musical lovers, the show includes songs such as Over the Rainbow,  We're Off To See The Wizard and The Merry Old Land of Oz.

Carol Cheung Ka-lo, 14, who  plays  the Scarecrow for half the shows, said she  was delighted to join the  cast.

'This is my first time  in a musical,  and I'm really enjoying it,' she said.

'I really like my character.  Since the scarecrow doesn't have any bones, I have to  move floppily,  as if I, too, have no bones.  It's a great feeling.'

'My dancing skills are improving and I'm learning how to sing the high-pitched notes  using my stomach muscles.'

The  cast of 30 students, aged six to 16, was selected after attending auditions, interviews and a workshop.

Rehearsals started  last September.    With the show just days away, the cast feel their characters are part of them.

Kiki Wong Tsz-yu, 16, is one of the two Dorothys.

'I really admire Dorothy. She  faces a lot of difficulties, but she never gives up. That requires courage.'

Working on the show has taught Kiki the importance of co-operation, and the appeal of being on stage.

'Musical productions are all about teamwork. If  someone is late, or  forgets their lines, it  messes up the whole thing.

'DEER Theatre made me realise just how much I like performing arts. It's so much fun because I get to be someone  I'm not in real life.'

The Wizard of Oz has taught the actors another important life lesson.

'Dorothy  takes things for granted.  This show  has taught me to treasure what I have,'  Carol said.

The Wizard of Oz will be performed at Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium on May 19 and 20. Tickets cost HK$80- HK$200 from Urbtix.

For more information, see http://www.dramaticenglish.org/WOO/index.html



We're off to see a charity show