The Scarecrow
A new musical inspired by the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz
Created, Directed, Performed by Anthony Michael Stokes
Through its innovative use of puppetry, powerful storytelling, and culturally relevant music, "The Scarecrow" aims to captivate audiences, provoke thought, and inspire change. This production serves as a testament to the transformative power of imagination, history and the human spirit. A soundscape of emotion - music is used as a narrative tool and plays a pivotal role in The Scarecrow, amplifying the emotional depth of the story. At the heart of The Scarecrow lies the redemption and self-discovery of the protagonist. Through his journey, the Scarecrow realizes his true purpose and the impact he can make in the world. His transformation from a simple cornfield scarecrow to a courageous leader echoes the universal theme of embracing one's true self and finding the strength to make a difference.
The piece is entitled "The Scarecrow". Fascinated by how he came to be hanging in that field, this OZ story and origin follow a newly appointed his Majesty the Scarecrow, as he is tasked to save the citizens of Winkie country from an ever-increasing horde of crows. The story follows his journey back home to learning who he was, while also discovering who he must be. Joined by new companions; the Wogglebug, Sawhorse, the Patchwork girl and a perpetually puckish crow, his journey lead to discoveries and connections between Oz and the United States in the early 1900’s.
Press Representative: Sam Rudy Media Relations
Director/playwright/lyricist/composer/creator: AnthonyMichael Stokes
Production Stage manager: David Jackson
Assistant director: Marc De la Concha
Dramaturg: Helena Pennington
Projections designer: Don Cieslik
Puppet design and creation by Anthony MichaelStokes and Kessto Kreatures, additional puppet construction by Zachery Garner
Cast
The Scarecrow: Anthony Michael Stokes
Professor H.M. Wogglebug: Zachery Garner
Winkie One/ Man 2/Dream 7: Antonio Romero
Winkie Two: Teresa Hui
Winkie Three/Lily: Amber Snyder
Golden Crow/Ida: Kymbali Craig
Angeline the Patchwork Girl: Leigh Marie
Seesaw the Sawhorse/Dream 5/Ozian 5: Ajith Kumar
Man 1/Dream 4/Ozian 4: Tom Foran
Anthony Michael Stokes a graduate of UTEP, where he received the 1st double B.F.A.in Music Theatre and Dance Performance in the school's history. He is Currentlythe Theatre Arts Director at Jefferson/Silva High School. He has recentlyreturned from NYC where he starred in Titan Theatre Company's Off-Broadwayproduction of "The African Company presents: Richards III" He hastaught at Coronado High School. where in his first year won the 6A District UILOne-Act Play Competition with "Dancing at Lughnasa" other works atCoronado included the area premieres of both Clue (High School Edition) andHeathers the Musical and well as A Christmas Carol and the immersive hauntingexperience Greek Tragedy: Blood and Vengeance. He has performed with numerouscompanies in town including Viva El Paso and the UTEP Dinner Theatre. Since hisreturn to El Paso he has worked as a guest artist with not only Kids-n-Co, butShakespeare on the Rocks, EPCC as well the UTEP Department of Theatre andDance. He has worked in South Korea as a teaching performing artist,choreographer and head costume designer at Gyeonggi English Village and trainedas a puppeteer with the Sesame Street Puppeteer workshop. Credits includetraveling the world in 3 national tours including The Berenstain Bears LIVE,Seasons of Miracles and the 1st national tour of Clifford where he originatedthe roles of Charley/Mr. Partland, Other credits include; Dan in Next toNormal(EPCC), and Othello in Othello (SOTR) Canaval de Danzas (Guest Artist),the dual roles of Hondo(puppet)/Walt(human) in the new musical Aisle Six (NYInternational Fringe Festival). He’s had the privilege of appearing in New Yorkcity's longest running play, playing Arnall in Israel Horovitz" Line at13th Street Rep and is a published author with his first children's book"Chromy Chronicles: Book One.
The 11th La MaMa Puppet Festival Fall 2024 is made possible by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), the Cultural Office of the Spanish Embassy in Washington DC and the Cultural Office of the Consulate General of Spain in New York, the Howard Gilman Foundation, The Jim Henson Foundation, the Québec Government Office in New York, Puppet Slam Network, Radio Drama Network, The Shubert Foundation. Additional support from Cheryl Henson is gratefully acknowledged.
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La MaMa Puppet Festival
The La MaMa Puppet Festival showcases new contemporary puppet theatre by artists from around the world. Curated by Denise Greber, focusing on diversifying the voices, stories, and perspectives shared onstage, with the goal of uplifting marginalized identities within the puppet community.