Our Cowardly Lion

That's my son, Benjamin Strait, as the Cowardly Lion, in the Flying Dragon's first production of The Wizard of Oz, back in 2011.  He gave a wonderful performance, charming the audience.  Here he is either in mid-roar or mid-yawn.

I played the Wizard that year, and here we are just outside the theatre, ready to greet the patrons as they come out.

Here he is, all curled up by the beauticians of Oz.  Also in the picture is Amara Grace Jeffords, putting in a super performance as Dorothy.  Over the course of three years, many children got the opportunity to play Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and all the parts in Oz.  Flying Dragon is a great place for children to gain experience and confidence.

Benjamin puts up his dukes.

The entire cast of Flying Dragon's 2011 Wizard of Oz.


Flying Dragon is a wonderful organization,  achieving an important role and service for our children, connecting them with the arts, inspiring them, helping them grow and gain in talent and confidence.  They have put on many great shows over the last five plus years, and have given many, many, children their first stage exposure.

But the fact is that more people came out to see the Wizard of Oz at the Ritz in one performance than saw the entire run of Flying Dragon's 2013  Wizard.  More people will see WACT's Wizard in one weekend than will have seen all three years of the runs Flying Dragon did.

Flying Dragon deserves your support.  They perform a vital community service.  They need your attendance.  They need your financial support.  The Jeffords and other core families have struggled heroically to keep this worthy enterprise afloat, but they need your kind help to keep going, and to get stronger and better.

They have a great show coming up in late March, called Beauty is the Beast.  It is important to note that they also support local playwrights as well, including Chris Jeffords, Kimberly Beck, Jason Chancey, Rem Farr, Barbara Griffin, and little ol' me.  Please keep watching The Strait Line for news of Beauty is the Beast, and other upcoming productions, and help give this fine theater the support it deserves.