The Tin Man on the Road to Oz

  The Tin Man is the focus of a recent story by my pal Dave Lavender in the Herald-Dispatch, as portrayed by Lee Dean.


   He's a central character in the beloved musical The Wizard of Oz, which continues its run this weekend at the Ritter Park Amphitheatre.


   You can read the full story right here (the photo above is by Anthony Davis) - and here's an excerpt: 


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   Hanging out at Ritter Park Amphitheater during rehearsal for Wizard of Oz, Lee Dean sips on a giant mug of hot tea trying to keep his voice intact for another night's performance.

   Although it is probably the last thing he should do, Dean begins excitedly talking about how much he loves being a part of his new extended family of sorts, the team of community members known as Huntington Area Regional Theater (HART in the Park) which is in the middle of its three-weekend-run of The Wizard of Oz.

   These hot summer nights, Dean is doing double duty again preaching and acting up a storm.

   The 39-year-old Huntington area native and pastor at Mud River Baptist Church, who took on his first theatrical role last year as Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, is back this year in another starring role as The Tin Man in "Oz," which runs at 8:30 p.m. June 17-19 and June 24-26. The production also stars Sarah Navy as Dorothy; Drew Navy as the Scarecrow; Levi Kelley as the Cowardly Lion; Tamara Meadows as Glinda; and Denise Comeau as the Wicked Witch.

   Gates open at 7 p.m. Picnics are allowed, but there are also food and drink vendors. The children's pre-show is set for 7:30 p.m. There is an adult pre-show at 8 p.m. and the main show at 8:30 p.m.

   Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and kids 12 and under. Call 304-696-5954 or visit www.GHPRD.orgfor tickets.

   Dean said the summer theater has been a great way for his busy family to do something really purposeful and fun together.

   While Dean meets up with Dorothy in Oz as the Tin Man, his wife, Samantha, stays behind in Kansas as Auntie Em. Their youngest daughter, Ellie, is in the show, and their oldest daughter, Lena, was in the show until she dislocated her knee. Even hurt she still is helping to do tech for the show.