Special Needs Acting Troupe Brings The Wizard of Oz to Life

Having opened on Friday, November 13 and running through Sunday, November 15, the greatest family musical of all time made its way down the Yellow Brick Road to the Bayway Arts Center. Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) FREE Players, in association with the BroadHollow Theater Company proudly presented their adaptation of the beloved classic The Wizard of Oz.

The FREE Players treated the audience to a family-friendly musical where they joined Dorothy Gale of Kansas More as she dreamt of what lies over the rainbow. Along the way they met the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as they were taken on a magical journey through the Land of Oz, complete with a wizard, witches and winged monkeys. At the end of their trip they discovered the importance of friendship, and realized there really is no place like home.

The FREE Players is a one-of-a-kind theatre troupe within FREE embracing the talents of performers of all abilities. The FREE Players dedicate their energies to the arts through instruction in dance, drama, music, technical theater, and fine arts. Through the arts, individuals have made great strides in improving their interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to multitask, focus, and take direction, all of which helps them move towards their goal of being independent contributing members of society.

The annual musical fundraiser supports opportunities for the men and women who receive services from FREE. Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will go to enhancing current opportunities and developing innovative community programing alternatives.