Road construction proceeds at Wesley Center in Jasper

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr THE COMMISSIONER OF YELLOW BRICK ROADS, Joe McGraw, kneels down where the road begins to wind through the audience at Wesley Center for performances of The Wizard of Oz in March.

"The yellow brick road starts right here," said Joe McGraw, standing at the edge of the stage, "at least that's the theory."

This is McGraw's first time as a set builder for the Spotlight Players, who will present the classic version of the Wizard of Oz March 6, 8 and 9 at Wesley Center in Jasper.

McGraw at 73 is "the kid" in the group; the other set builders, Sam Yeary, Vaughan Brown and Ted Jones are all in their eighties. Charlie Caston recently joined the crew.

"I confess I'm a little worried," McGraw said. "We've got less than a month and this "house" prop is still wobbly, and they keep changing what they want, and it just seems like a lot to do in a little bit of time.

"But Sam keeps tell me, 'oh, don't worry, it's always like this and always gets done' so I guess I have to figure he's done it before, he'll do it again," McGraw said.

Building sets is far from what McGraw did for a living. He retired from the oil business more than 20 years ago.

"Sam is the artist in the group and the boss. I can paint or hammer or glue, but he has the vision," McGraw said.

When the lights go down and the music from the live orchestra swells, few in the audience will realize the effort that goes into a production like this.

"It's a magical story, and the play promises to be magical as well," said Bonnie Walker, one of the directors.

Walker says rehearsals are well underway with a few cast changes. Jessica Alvis stars as Dorothy, Chris Coleman as Scarecrow, Dana Walker as Tin Man, Billy Buckmaster as Cowardly Lion and John Seybold as the Wizard of Oz himself.

Dana Riggins is the Wicked Witch, Mandy Seybold is Glenda the Good Witch, Donna Ivy and Danny Newsom are Antie Em and Uncle Henry.

Martin Jones, Dana Riggins and Bonnie Walker are co-directors.

Tickets are on sale for $10 at the First United Methodist Church office, or by calling 384-5735.