Ohio’s PARMA Heights — The Wizard of Oz has no place like home.
John D. Roberts, the former principal of Valley Forge High School, is back as the producer and vocal music director of the Parma Schools Foundation’s performance, which will be held at the Parma Heights facility from August 1 to 3.
This summer musical is the nonprofit’s third annual event.
Roberts, a resident of Olmsted Falls and the former principal of Valley Forge High School from 1990 to 1999, stated that the Parma schools have a tradition of performing a summer theatrical musical.
We began doing this in the 1970s, but for some reason it stopped. Upon returning to the district after my retirement, I approached the foundation to inquire about putting on a summer production.
The theater returns with the Frank Baum classic, which features 87 actors and 25 student musicians, after producing The Sound of Music and Oliver at Valley Forge High School.
According to him, this allows children to participate in a show during the summer.
We have access to what is known as a full pit work. Thus, it’s live music, which is a very different experience than what children often get.
In addition to being all Parma City School kids, they also span in grade level from kindergarteners to seniors who just graduated.
According to him, “we found that the kids really knew pretty well and have a good understanding of the show.”
They are simply enjoying themselves, with some of them playing with Munchkins and Emerald City residents.
It should come as no surprise that the students knew a lot about The Wizard of Oz before they arrived for rehearsals.
He remarked, “It’s just a very large cast with great camaraderie.” The children are enjoying themselves.
We don’t want this to be a chore or something they have to do. These students are trying their hardest to impress because they want to do this.
According to Andrew Ligus, a 2025 graduate of Normandy High School, who plays Tin Man, this has been one of his favorite productions thus far.
“Practicing the show has taught me a lot and allowed me to collaborate with so many incredible people,” he said.
I’ve never done a show as well-planned and enjoyable as this one.
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