Marblehead Little Theater to perform ‘Wizard of Oz’

MARBLEHEAD – There’s a mayor in Marblehead, and he’s started a working relationship with the Board of Selectmen.Kristian Hosker, the Mayor of Munchkin City in the Marblehead Little Theater’s new production of “The Wizard of Oz,” visited the Board of Selectmen last week to present them with the Key to the Emerald City and read a rhyming proclamation from a very official-looking scroll.The Nahant resident and Johnson School student wore a royal blue jacket, a hat with gold trim and striped socks. His make-up included a twirled mustache. It was his brother’s birthday and he and MLT representatives Ginny Morton and Janet Sheehan got to pose with board members for a photo in front of the Spirit of ’76, like other visiting dignitaries.Selectman William Woodfin noted, “He’s ready to sit here (with the selectmen) right now.”The current production of The Wizard is the MLT’s third. Morton recalled that she was the Wicked Witch in the first production in 1987 and Sheehan is the Wicked Witch in the new version. Sheehan will actually fly in this one.The play will debut Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School and run Sunday, Nov. 4 and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 and 11 and Nov. 17 and 18. Saturday shows will be at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday shows will be at 1 p.m. Tickets are now on sale.Also leading the cast of 85 are Lianne Gennaco as Dorothy, Erik Rodenhiser as the Scarecrow, Ted Merritt as the Tinman, Ron Amon as the Lion, Ray Smith as the Wizard, Ursina Amsler as Glinda, Wendy Webber as Auntie Em and Erik Knosp as Uncle Henry.