PRESSER
Tuesday, December 20, 2:30 p.m.
City/County Bldg, 800 N. French St., Wilmington

PHOTO ATTACHED, WITH FREE USE.

Register of Wills Ciro Poppiti to Open Estate of Wicked Witch of the West

Public Comment Sought: Who Should Head Wicked Witch’s Estate?

Free Tickets to Wilmington Drama League’s production of Oz

Ciro Poppiti, III, the Register of Wills for New Castle County, requests public comment on a most unusual case.

A PRESS CONFERENCE will be held on Tuesday, December 20, at 2:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Louis L. Redding City/County Building. 800 N. French Street, Wilmington.

At the Presser, the Register is scheduled to open the estate of the Wicked Witch of the West. He will be presented the Wicked Witch’s Will by Dorothy Gale, Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and other characters from The Wizard of Oz, as produced locally by the Wilmington Drama League.

The Wicked Witch of the West named her sister as executrix under her Will, but the sister (the Wicked Witch of the East) died only a few days before, in a freak house-falling accident.

Under the law, Register Poppiti now decides who will oversee the Wicked Witch’s estate.

The Register is asking for the public’s thoughts on who should head the Wicked Witch’s estate.

Comments should be emailed to wills@nccde.org through the end of the year.

The Register will award free tickets to see The Wizard of Oz at the Wilmington Drama League for the best emails he receives.

The Last Will and Testament of the Wicked Witch is available here.

The Wizard of Oz production is directed by Kathy Buterbaugh and features Christina Wyatt as Dorothy. Performances run through December 30.

The Wicked Witch of the West has a considerable estate, which includes a claim on her sister’s ruby slippers. An ancillary estate is expected to be opened in the County of Oz as well. The Wicked Witch’s estate is also expected to be sued for various claims of attempted murder, false imprisonment, assault, battery, infliction of mental anguish, illegal burning, skywriting without a license, animal cruelty, conversion, and defamation.

Several petitions have been filed seeking appointment to oversee the estate: The trio of Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion have jointly filed, so has the Mayor of Munchkin City, as well as Nikko T. Monkey, the captain of the Wicked Witch’s flying squad. A petition was also filed by a representative of the Lollipop Guild, but the Register has already disqualified the petition by virtue of the petitioner’s age.

“A decision such as this gives me great pause,” said Register Poppiti. “But I am confident that my Office will handle the case with compassion and professionalism.”

For more information on the Wilmington Drama League production of The Wizard of Oz, visit wilmingtondramaleague.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Register of Wills Ciro Poppiti, III receives the death certificate of the Wicked Witch of the West from Dorothy Gale (Christina Wyatt) and the Cowardly Lion (Zach Langrehr). The characters are part of the Wilmington Drama League’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Poppiti is scheduled to formally open the estate of the Wicked Witch and has sought public comment.

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Overview

At the height of the Nazi revolution, a city is torn apart when its Jewish residents are forced to live in a makeshift camp while awaiting a trip to the concentration camps. Amid the horror of this new way of life, the children write poems and stories to keep their hope and souls alive. This dramatic tale combines the poetry and stories of the children to weave this beautiful tale of creative survival.

Cast:

Maura Corsini: Eva Hellerova

Abby Deebel: Gabriela Winterova

Catherine Enslen: Jana Hellerova

Julia Frank: Corrina Hertz

Michael Hemphill: Erik Kosek

Sophia Malatesta: Tess Fischer

Julian Manjerico: Miroslav Weiss

Aiden McDermott: Pavel Hoffman

Mollie Montgomery: Lily Chernokov

Nolan Moss: Martin Lowy

John Reynolds: Kurt Friedmann

Talia Speak: Alena Lederova

Crew:

Marge Ventura: Director

Vicki Ventura: Assistant Director

Crissy Montgomery: Production Manager/Stage Manager

Derek Pinchot: ASM

Jen Scorziello: Sound Design

Christian Bolden: Light Design

Don Whitely: Set Design

Kathy Houff: Costumes

Traci Hemphill: Props

Greg Stanard: Props

Overview

Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie is on a final tour of the country before he heads off to war. Who will win the ultimate prize – his one last kiss? Will it be Kim, the all-American teenage girl? Will Conrad give it all up and settle down in Sweet Apple? Will parents finally understand their kids? One thing’s for certain – Birdie’s not going bye-bye so easily in this popular Broadway musical, loosely inspired by Elvis Presley!

Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Music & Lyrics by Carol Hall
Directed by Henry Porreca
May 4 to 19, 2012

Contains adult language and situations.

Overview

Yeeee-haw! Come on down to Miss Mona’s Chicken Ranch for a good time – after all, it’s just a lil’ ole bitty country place, with nothing dirty goin’ on! But try telling that to Melvin P. Thorpe, the crusading reporter out to shut down Miss Mona and the Chicken Ranch for good. Inspired by a true story, this raucous and hilariously satiric musical delighted audiences for four years on Broadway.

Wilmington Drama League Gives A Cluck

The Wilmington Drama League is donating $1 for every ticket sale of The Best Litte Whorehouse In Texas to Oxfam International.  The money that is donated provides the initial funds for low-income families in Southeast Asia to buy chickens for breeding or eating. Oxfam is an international confederation that focuses on alleviating poverty and injustice.

Overview

What if Einstein and Picasso met before they fractured space and time and changed our understanding of the world? This rollicking and unpredictable comedy from famed comedian Steve Martin imagines just such a meeting at the dawn of the 20th Century in the Paris bar, the Lapin Agile. As they debate what the new century will hold, the bar patrons offer hilarious nonstop commentary. This absurdist comedy ends with a final flourish – a mysterious visitor from the future.

CAST:
Freddy: Ed Elder
Gaston: Mike Vuccola
Germaine: Kathy Buterbaugh
Einstein: Jumbo Schimpf
Suzanne: Erica Negron
Sagot: Andrew Chambless
Picasso: Tim Sheridan
Schmendiman: Wayne Meadows
Countess and Woman: Katie Brady
Visitor: Jackson Borges

Susan Graham Paire of Philadelphia Jewish Culture Examiner, says:

“This cast presents a focused, seamless, energetic, passionate production of Parade.”

“The tender lyrics in “All the Wasted Time,” combined with Sheehan’s poignant portrayal and Gallatin’s superb talent, makes this a most excellent, moving scene.”

Charles “Ebbie” Alfree III, Delaware Arts Info, says:

“Brendan Sheehan…one of the best local performers in Delaware…gives an incredible performance.”

“[Rebecca Gallatin and Jeffrey Santoro] rise to the challenge of this compelling production and give outstanding performances.”

Holly Quinn of Stage Magazine says:

“If this all sounds like a lot for a small community theater to handle — the emotional subject matter, the shocking nature of the events, and the challenging Broadway musical pieces — it definitely is. The Wilmington Drama League, under the direction of Chris Turner, was up for the task, and I say without hesitation that they pulled it off completely.”

“PARADE left me with plenty to think about, and a renewed sense of awareness of the damage sensationalism and vitriol can cause, even today.”

Our friends Kristin Romero and Parade director, Chris Turner, shot and produced this promo video for the upcoming production. Watch it and buy your tickets today.

Overview

In 1913 Georgia, an uneasy racial truce is shattered when Leo, a Jewish man, is accused of murder. Corruption, blackmail, media sensationalism, and the need for a scapegoat seem to doom him to an early grave – but can his wife and a sympathetic governor save him in time? Based on a true story, Parade won Tony Awards in 1999 for its gripping book by Alfred Uhry and powerful score by Jason Robert Brown (Songs for a New World, The Last 5 Years).

Cast and Crew

Overview

Don’t miss the first-ever public concert reading of the new family holiday musical RESOLUTIONS, staged by Tina Sheing with costumes and music!

RESOLUTIONS picks up where Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL leaves off, telling the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s next year. Have the Spirits of Christmas really changed him, or will Scrooge succumb to his old, greedy ways? Find out in this new musical filled with laughs, romance, and spirit (and spirits!). This reading features a large cast of adults, teens and kids and new, original music.

After the reading, stay for a talkback and Q&A session with playwright & lyricist Kate Monaghan, composer Matt Casarino, director Tina Sheing, and all the actors.

Suggested donation is only $10. All proceeds will support the Chrysalis Players.

Overview

A tornado whisks young Dorothy away into a world of Munchkins, wicked (and good) witches, strange friends, flying monkeys, and an all-seeing Wizard in the epic musical The Wizard of Oz. Featuring all the characters and songs from the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz will take audiences of all ages on a breathtaking journey down the yellow brick road, through the Emerald City, and into the eyes of the Wizard himself. You’re not in Kansas any more!

Cast and Crew

Overview

Honeymoons have never been funnier – and more romantic – than in Neil Simon’s classic comedy Barefoot in the Park. Paul and Corie are young and deeply in love – but are they ready for the reality of married life, especially when it involves nosey mothers, strange neighbors, and five flights of stairs? The newlyweds struggle to find Happily Ever After in this clever, hilarious, and moving romantic comedy.

Cast and Crew

Overview

New York City. 1981. Hard-luck veteran Fleetwood and his woman Queen attempt to escape their world of street hustlers, drug dealers, adult entertainers, and prostitutes in this dark but lively musical from the mind of Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity, City of Angels). Nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 1997 and featuring an energetic, jazz- and pop-tinged score and spectacular dancing, The Life is a deeply entertaining and emotional ride into a world you’ve never seen before.

Cast and Crew

More to come!