On Saturday, November 9 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, the Musical Department is holding a character breakfast. This breakfast is open to students, families, and members of the community. Tickets for The Wizard of Oz show and the character breakfast can be purchased beforehand by using the link on the Hamburg Area High School website. Tickets are 10 dollars for adults, six for children aged four to 12 years old, and children three and under can enjoy for free with a paying adult. The breakfast will be held in the high school cafeteria and will transition to pictures and an opportunity to chat with the characters in the auditorium. The students who play Dorothy, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Guard, Wicked Witch, Glinda, and the Wizard of Oz will be in attendance at this event.
Kirra Goetz, a senior playing Dorothy, is participating in the character breakfast for the first time. She attended once before in 2022 for the Beauty and the Beast Musical when she played a silly girl. A character breakfast is not held every year for all of the musicals. Kirra explained that if a musical is catered to a younger audience, then there will be a breakfast. This is because it is designed for younger children to come take pictures and eat breakfast with the characters. Her favorite part is the food that will be available. This year, the menu consists of french toast sticks with syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, assorted muffins, orange juice, tea, and coffee. Kirra is most excited about dressing up as Dorothy and getting to take pictures with people.
Landon Poulios, a sophomore playing the Tin Man, is also very excited about the character breakfast. He has never attended or participated in one before, so he is looking forward to this new experience. Landon’s dog, Lulu, is getting to participate in the musical by playing Toto the dog. He says although it took some convincing, he was able to get his mother and Mrs. Jackson on board to include Lulu. To have her on the stage with him is a special and exciting experience. Landon encourages anyone who is not busy the morning of the breakfast to come out and have fun.
The musical director, Mr. Barry, coordinates the character breakfast when it fits the musical. He will have a conversation with Mr. Shefter and Mrs. Eisenhower to get permission to hold the breakfast in the cafeteria and reserve the space. To help advertise the breakfast, the musical producer will make flyers and have one go out to every student at Tilden and Perry Elementary Schools. Mrs. Jackson has also attended a couple of these breakfasts and her favorite part is the happy children. A lot of children will come dressed up as the characters from the musical and seeing them excited is a joyful view.