a579e2a26bec31df375c1f8f4037dcd7.jpg

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Puppet show briefly turns library into Oz

By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
   Dorothy and Toto were really not in Kansas, but in South Brunswick last weekend.
   As a part of the South Brunswick Reads program, children enjoyed a puppet show based on the L. Frank Baum classic The Wizard of Oz at the library on Kingston Lane last Saturday afternoon.
   Although the show opened with a recording of Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow from the 1939 MGM movie version of the story, young adult librarian Saleena Davidson said, Dorothy was moved from Kansas to South Brunswick in the abridged and simplified the story so that the young local audience could relate to the story more.
   The six puppeteers from throughout the community practiced the show for six weeks and learned leadership and teamwork, Susanna Chan, who is in charge of the children’s section, said.
   The puppeteers included Dayton residents Martina Malak, 10, Bhumi Shah, 12, Shail Shah, 10; Monmouth Junction residents Dhwani Shukla, 11, Vishaka Nayak, 11; and Kendall Park resident Nicholas Attanasio, 14.
   Martina, who played the Tin Man in the show, said she “thought it went pretty well.”
   Shail said he thought the play expressed the message of the book despite making a few mistakes with the production.
   ”You don’t have to go over every little detail,” Bhumi, who gave her voice to the wicked witch puppet said.
   Bhumi also said she enjoyed being the witch a lot better than being Dorothy.
   ”I get to have all the fun,” she said.
   Sherine Aboelezz, 29, of North Brunswick attended the performance with her children.
   Ms. Aboelezz said her children loved the performance and that she enjoys it when they watch the movie or are exposed to performances of literature.
   Her son, Ismail Eldessouky, 6, said he liked the new twist on the story and that his favorite part of the performance was that, in this version, it wasn’t a dream.
   Dayton resident Sherry Manzino, 41, said the show was a good length for children.
   ”It was concise, a perfect time frame,” Ms. Manzino said. “(The show) covered all the highlights (of the story).”
   Ms. Manzino’s son Jack, 9, said his favorite part of the performance was the melting of the wicked witch.
   Jack said the show “was very interesting like the book and the movie.”
   Ms. Davidson said she thought the children worked hard and that the show went well.
   The South Brunswick Reads Program, which asks everyone in the community to read the same book, is sponsored by the library, the South Brunswick schools, and the Aging in Place Partnership, Ms. Chan said.
   ”The Wizard of Oz was chosen for its) simple message of good over evil,” Ms. Chan said.
   The program started in January, and will last until the end of the school year, incorporating various programs associated with the novel and motion picture for adults, teens and children, Ms. Chen said.
   Some previous events included public discussion and trivia for adults, and trivia, games, story time for children, Ms. Chen.
   To find out more, visit the library website at http://www.sbpl.info or visit the South Brunswick library.