Over the rainbow

Elle Root has spent the last month hoping not to have a growth spurt.

At 4-foot-9, she's short for 13, and she wouldn't mind growing. Just not before this weekend, when she will be one of a dozen Munchkins in the professional touring production of "The Wizard of Oz."

Being under 5 feet tall and 100 pounds is a requirement for the part.

"I have been kind of worried about growing," the School of the Arts seventh-grader said.

Size was just one of the requirements South of Broadway Theatre Company founder Mary Gould looked for when casting the parts.

"They needed to be pretty good dancers and have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of physical plasticity to handle the gestures and body shapes of the Munchkins," Gould said. "Munchkins stand around with their tummy poking out."

Right before Thanksgiving, Gould got a call from Alan Coker, marketing manager at the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, asking if she would provide the Munchkins when the production comes to town.

"He sent me the guidelines recommending three rehearsals a week for two to three hours each for a month," Gould said. "I said, 'That's crazy. How can anyone do that at this time of year?' This is a major commitment."

Still, within days, she auditioned more than 50 Munchkin-wannabes and selected 12, ranging in age from 8 to 13 years old, who happen to be all girls.

"We auditioned several boys, but they just couldn't sing in tune and move at the same time," she said.

The little Munchkins have a big part.

"They are Munchkins all the way through the show," Gould said. Their roles include singing, dancing and reacting to the other actors through much of the play.

"What we got from the producers is a 45- to 50-page Powerpoint about where the Munchkins are at all times," Gould said. "We have CDs, DVDs and pages and pages and pages of choreography, staging and directions."

For the last month, the girls have practiced their parts on a floor at North Charleston's South of Broadway marked with tape to approximate the size of the stage at the Performing Arts Center. Strategically placed black folding chairs represent set pieces and other actors.

"It was pretty intense in the beginning," said Joseph Baldino, who with Lynette Lynes has been rehearsing the group. "The trick is to make it all fit. You can't be creative because you have to follow the guidelines."

On Saturday, the Munchkins will arrive at the Performing Arts Center at 1 p.m. for costume fittings, meetings with the dance captain and stage director and a dress rehearsal before the 7:30 p.m. curtain. There is a second show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

"Saturday is going to be a really long day, but it will be worth it," Elle said. "I'm so glad it's finally here."

If you go

What: 'The Wizard of Oz.'

Where: North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets: $30 to $60 and are available at the North Charleston Coliseum ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

Reach Brenda Rindge at 937-5713 or brindge@postandcourier.com.