The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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October 29, 2009

Enid graduate to tour in musical

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

Enid High School graduate Jonathan Suttmiller is helping to give the gift of courage to kids across the country who want to learn about the performing arts.

As the Cowardly Lion in the touring musical “Oz the Musical,” Suttmiller, along with the rest of the cast and crew, reaches out to children across the country who, after a workshop, participate in the musical performance as munchkins and flying monkeys.

“It’s a musical for kids,” said Suttmiller. “It’s like ‘High School Musical’ meets ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”

The musical performance is meant to introduce children to the theater and give them a taste of what it’s like to participate.

“It keeps them out of trouble and gives them something to do with their time,” Suttmiller said. “(It is) a positive outlet for kids.”

He said the experiences is a bright spot to the participating children.

“You see all these smiles on their faces during the rehearsal,” Suttmiller said.

The musical tour will begin in December, and the tour schedule has not been completed. Donations are needed to help fund the tour, “to keep the show going for the kids,” Suttmiller said.

The musical began in Texas, and when the tour resumes, the cast and crew plan to travel to the northern states before heading to the West Coast.

Suttmiller found out about the musical from a friend who encouraged him to audition before landing his role as the Cowardly Lion.

Suttmiller graduated from EHS in 2006 and recently has been studying acting in New York at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He is the son of Jeff and Sherry Suttmiller, of Enid.

Anyone who would like to donate to the musical production may do so by sending a check to: Drama’l Musicals, 7609 Bays Water Rd., Amarillo, TX, 79119.

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