The Student News Site of Westfield High School

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The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

Oz celebrates its 75th

by Danny Kuhn

The State Theatre and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presented a screening of The Wizard of Oz last Sunday to commemorate its seventy-fifth anniversary. The screening took place in Newark and New Brunswick venues.

According to afi.com, “The American Film Institute named the classic 1939 musical film…the sixth greatest American movie of all time.” Audience members also had the benefit of watching the film with the addition of live music.

Conductor Mr. Constantine Kitsopoulos conducted the live music played by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

According to prweb.com, Kitsopoulos has led orchestras on some of the biggest musical stages, such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Royal Albert Hall and musical productions on Broadway.

The film, which was made three-quarters of a century ago, still remains popular among teenagers. Senior Sarah Margolies said: “The Wizard of Oz will always be a great movie. Despite the fact that it was made a really long time ago, it teaches lessons that are still prevalent today.”

According to njsymphony.org, audience members could dress up as their favorite characters in order to have a chance of winning a prize; audiences could also participate in pre-concert festivities, including a group sing-along.

​The Oscars also honored the seventy-fifth anniversary of The Wizard of Oz this year in appreciation of its significant role in cinema. Pink performed “Over the Rainbow” while movie footage played behind her on the big screen, giving celebrities and fans the chance to nostalgically travel down the yellow brick road once again.

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