And flying monkeys and Munchkins and Toto, too. These familiar characters and all the other cast favorites were brought to life during the recent Principal Players Production of the Wizard of Oz at Cresskill Junior/Senior High School.

Almost 70 years has passed since Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer’s 1939 release of the "Wizard of Oz," and more than a century has elapsed since the original stage play debuted on Broadway in 1903.

The plot of the recent production was identical to that of the 1903 original - lonely Kansas farm girl named Dorothy dreams of a better place, without torment against her dog from a hateful neighbor spinster.

So she plans to run away, but during a fierce tornado she is struck on the head. She is transported to a land beyond the rainbow, where she meets magical characters from her Kansas life which are transformed within her unconscious dream state.

After traveling down a Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City, on the way defeating the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and her friends -- the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion -- are rewarded with their hearts’ desires and Dorothy is returned home.

"Playing the lead of Dorothy has been such a great opportunity for me," said senior Danielle Krumbein. "The experience has enabled me to develop bonds with so many of the cast members, and watching the production come together has been amazing."

Let’s face it…everyone has seen the "Wizard of Oz." For those of us who grew up before VHS and DVD made it possible to watch movies whenever we wanted, there was that special once-a-year televised viewing of the "Wizard of Oz," when children and adults alike tuned in to explore the unknown and return home safely.

During the four sold-out showings of the three-hour production, actors and audience were transported from Kansas farmland through a twister into the Land of Oz and back home.

Creative special effects, better-than-expected costuming, dramatic lighting and an imaginative set paved the way for the journey.

"’The Wizard of Oz’ was my favorite childhood story," senior and Cowardly Lion Eddie Wilkin said. "So being a part of this production and seeing it all come alive has brought a whole new meaning to the story."

"It’s been a lot of hard work, but it totally paid off," sophomore Daniel Heller said. "Developing my character of the Scarecrow was so much fun, because I got to be so loose and have fun."

The audience of all ages enjoyed the fantasy-like atmosphere of the musical. They were equally entertained by songs such as "Over the Rainbow," "If I Only had a Brain/a Heart/the Nerve," "We’re Off to See the Wizard," "King of the Forest," "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" and the "Jitterbug" which was cut from MGM’s screenplay to reduce playtime in theaters.

Some never-before-used-at-the-school special effects were incorporated into the play including smoke machines, strobe lighting and a pulley system.

The effects made the Wizard seem ablaze, gave the illusion of snowfall during the poppy scene and enabled monkeys and witches to fly. There was even an amazingly trained Yorkshire Terrier who played the role of Toto.

"I loved the smoke machine and the real dog," 8-year-old Shana Lichaw said. "But the flying characters were the best."

"My favorite thing was during the hurricane scene when the witch flew by on her bike," said 11-year-old Dae Hyun Kim.

According to director John Von Glahn, the musical was a combined effort of students in grades seven through 12, as well as the dedicated assistance and supervision of staff and parents.

"The play took nine and one-half weeks of preparation and included more than 100 students, parents, teachers and advisors who shared their talents to make this year’s production possible," Von Glahn said.

According to Richie Hess, audience member and father of a CHS student, the play definitely received the grade of A+ in his book.

"The flying characters on the newly installed pulley system were an unexpected surprise to everyone in the audience," he said. "The production was amazing and everyone involved, especially the kids, did such a great job."