And when these four words are spoken – “The Wizard of Oz” – almost everyone who hears them will have a connection to the dialogue or song lyrics or both.

The famous 1939 film has it all – great story, great musical score, great characters, and great use of color.

The musical The Wizard of Oz is scheduled for two weekend performances at Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St.

In LBLTJ’s stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s masterpiece, Board President Holly Weston said there are about 100 people in the cast – 40 adults and 60 children. She added that the younger children enjoy being in the cast.

From left, Cameron Hinds, Hannah Powell, Kyan Rivera, and Matthew Hughes rehearse a scene from The Wizard of Oz to be performed at Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St. Submitted photo

“I have these sweet, little Munchkins that draw me pictures or talk about how much they love being here,” Weston said.

Weston said the musical is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s version which follows the movie, and Weston double cast for the four main leads – Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion.

“They are each doing one weekend, so we have a pink cast and a green cast,” Weston said.

Weston added that if the pink cast is on stage rehearsing Act 1, then members of the green cast are in the lobby rehearsing lines or practicing dances.

“I keep calling them the Fab Four,” Weston added.

Before being cast as Dorothy, Hannah Powell of Lakewood, only had seen the movie and musical, so Powell had to do some research.

“I had to do a lot of deep diving about the character. Before I stepped on stage, and continued to do the role, I found out about her inner character,” Powell said. “I’m the pink one.”

Brooke Hunt, of Russell, Pa., said that because it’s a classic, everybody knows The Wizard of Oz.

Hunt also was cast as Dorothy – the green one – and was “beyond excited.”

“It’s really cool to play such a role that has made an impact on so people’s lives,” Hunt said.

Performances slated with the pink cast are Friday, Saturday at 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Performances slated with the green cast are Dec. 13, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.; and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.

Pink Cast:

Dorothy – Hannah Powell

Scarecrow – Jon Thompson

Tinman – Adam Hughes

Lion – Joe Castiglia

Green Cast:

Dorothy – Brooke Hunt

Scarecrow – Peter Larson

Tinman – Adam Owens

Lion – Dan Cherry

Scheduled to perform both weekends are Pamela Carmen as Aunt Em; Ed Anderson as Uncle Henry; Lee John as The Wizard of Oz; Patti Culliton as the Wicked Witch of West; and Holly Weston as Glinda.

Co-director Aubrey Russell said that more than 120 people auditioned for the show.

“It’s also a show everybody knows, and everybody loves. That’s why we had so many people show up to auditions,” Aubrey said.

As a co-director with his wife, Lindsay, Aubrey said he has a passion for LBLTJ and the theatre exists as a cornerstone for the community.

“There are so many people that use this space as a safe space, as a place to really explore. There are so many people that are terrified to come into this theater or to do things out in public, but they come into this theatre and they come alive on that stage,” Aubrey Russell said.

For information on tickets visit lbltj.com or email boxoffice@lbltj.com.