May 28, 29, June 3, 4, 10, 11, 1978

The Mountaineers' own Evelyn MacDonald wrote The Marvelous Land of Oz, a sequel to The Wizard of Oz, which the Players staged in 1966. Like Wizard, this play is set in the fantasyland created by L. Frank Baum. Peter Magee was the director.

Although Dorothy and the Wizard are absent (presumably back in Kansas), the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the no-longer-cowardly Lion are still in Oz. The Lion didn't appear in Baum's sequel, but Evie brought him back because people would expect him to be there. Also there are awkward Jack Pumpkinhead, a fugitive from Hallowe'en; the thoroughly-educated Wogglebug; Jinjur, leader of the women's army of revolt; and Mombi, a not-so-nice witch, along with other delightful characters. Total audience was 4,174 for the six performances.

Evie MacDonald (Script Writer & Player Extraordinaire)

Evie MacDonald, a collector of Oz memorabilia, joined the Mountaineer Players in 1953 and was quickly drawn into the sound shack.  She served there until this production, when her longtime assistant Greg Brown took over. 

Evie later served as Players treasurer for 15 years, starting in 1983.  Asked what she values about the Players, she says:  “The connection to something that is ongoing, the lifetime friendships that are formed.”  She enjoys watching the second- and third-generation Players take their place in the group and the chance to appreciate the outdoors.