Starting this week Renton High School’s drama department will put on the musical, “The Wiz.”

“An immediate buzz of excitement filled the room” when it was announced to both the school’s choir and drama students, according to Sara Khelghatian, drama director.

She has always wanted to stage a musical at the school. When Lizabeth Diaz, the choir director, approached her with the 1978 adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” made famous by Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, Khelghatian thought it was perfect to showcase all populations of Renton High School.

“Some students are in our International Baccalaureate Program (IB), some are in choir, some have only taken drama as a course, some are in special education classes, some are students who have never performed before, some are officers in ASB, and some are seasoned actors,” said Khelghatian. “The beautiful aspect of their performances is that all biases are left outside and we are united as a supportive cohesive cast.”

Making up the cast of players are sophomore Joy Newton as Dorothy, senior Glenpierre Nadala as the Scarecrow, freshman Josiah Pinera as the Tin Man, junior Michael Sikora as the Lion and Van Nguyen as the Wiz.

“All I can say is that it’s amazing,” said Newton of the production. “Every minute that I’ve put into it has been really worth it.”

A lot of the cast members didn’t know each other before the production and hung out in their respective cliques, Newton said. But the show has brought the students together and blended them on stage and in school, she said.

“I think that it’s really going to open up new doors with like the cultural background of it,” Newton said. “We’re not just like one race in it we’re all mixed. It’s really fun to be able to work with everybody on it and for the whole school to come in and support it.”

Kiana Mieldon plays “The Wiz’” version of the Wicked Witch of the West, Evilene. It’s a dream role for the second soprano in the school’s a cappella choir.

“I’ve watched the movie for so many years as a kid; it’s my favorite of all time play, musical everything,” Mieldon said.

She calls Evilene more diva-ish than the traditional Wicked Witch of the West and Mieldon said she enjoys playing an angry character.

“Just like picture your mom when she gets really mad at you in church, that’s her,” she said.

Renton High’s production of “The Wiz” features contemporary music such as “Thiller,” “Uptown Funk,” “Jungle Boogie,” and Rihanna’s lastest song “Toward the Sun.”

Nguyen, who plays the almighty and powerful Wiz, had never heard of the production before he encountered it here at Renton High. He was a little reluctant to be a part of a musical at school because of peer pressure, but once he saw the movie, he was all for it. “The Wiz” is his first school drama production and the show has taught him an important lesson, he said.

“It teaches me that the home is where the heart is,” said Nguyen. “It’s like home doesn’t have to be a place you go back home to eat and sleep. It begins with your heart.”

Khelghatian is most excited for everyone to see this classic story with a modern twist brought to life on Renton High School’s stage. She wants the students to see their hard work and commitment to the production pay off.

The details

Renton High’s “The Wiz” runs 6 p.m., April 16; 6 p.m., April 17 and 1 p.m., April 18. Tickets are $5 at the door at the IKEA Performing Arts Center at Renton High School.