LAKEPORT, Calif. – It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it’s a flying monkey!

It's the Clear Lake High School musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” coming to The MAC in Lakeport April 19 to 22.

You're guaranteed to be tappin' your toes and hummin' your favorites of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "We're Off to See the Wizard" and "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" with this talented and energetic musical cast.

But this is more than just an entertaining musical coming to CLHS: it's a very special tribute.

Paul Larrea, a long-time drama teacher and recently retired from CLHS, had his heart set on reviving the musical program and directing “Oz” when a sudden massive heart attack took his life and left a Lake County community in shock and mourning.

Before he passed, he was actively recruiting a production team, including Rachael Frediani, his former drama student who he asked to be his assistant director, and producer Diana Lunas, mother of Josh Hansen, also a former drama student of Larrea who died tragically at the young age of 27. A memorial scholarship fund was created in his name and has distributed more than $29,000 to CLHS students  in the arts – a program Larrea was passionate about.

Then came the sudden passing of Deputy Sheriff Rob Rumfelt, beloved CLHS football coach, friend and community member. Larrea immediately made known his intention to dedicate a show in honor of Rumfelt as well as Hansen. They would now have two shows dedicated to each.

And then we lost Larrea. The community lost its beloved director, teacher, soccer coach, husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor. Stunned, his friends sat and cried together. Now what?

Enter stage left: Rachael Frediani, agreeing to direct her first-time musical in his honor.

Arm-in-arm next to her, Diana Lunas: “Paul talked to me just days before his death, asking if I would participate in producing this show. He made it a point to say that it would be a shame not to have future drama students benefiting from the Josh Hansen Scholarship Memorial Fund. Of course I agreed, and now I’m doing this for Paul.”

Enter stage right: Antoinette Goetz, Antoinette’s School of Dance and former choreographer of Larrea’s past shows, whom he had also approached: “Will you choreograph just one or two big-production-numbers?” Now she was more committed than ever to honor Larrea and include her studio for rehearsals, her dancers, choreographers and musical theatre group.

Enter center stage: the Lake County community. Terri Sullivan's Precious Moments Preschool kids saying yes to participation in Munchkinland; the CLHS Football team saying yes to a cameo on stage in honor of Coach Rob; the soccer team saying yes in honor of Coach Paul; the CLHS administration saying yes, whatever it takes.”

And, of course Larrea’s wife MaryAnn and daughter Anne saying “Yes, please, how can we help?”

This show – this tribute – can maybe best be summed up by leading lady, "Dorothy," played by CLHS Junior Teylor Tobin, who recently wrote: "Paul's passing was rough. I'll never forget the speech he gave when he presented me with my Top 40 Rotarian award my freshman year … the only person who truly made me feel like I was making an impact at Clear Lake High School that still stands with me today. Such a lovely man, and I was so excited to work with him. I can't wait to do this in his honor."

This is more than a musical. It's a celebration of our youth that carry the torch of those who have gone before us. So follow the yellow brick road to the MAC (Marge Alakszay Center) on the CLHS campus in Lakeport, on the day of your choice:    

– Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m.: CLHS soccer girls honor Paul Larrea.
– Friday, April 20, 7 p.m.: CLHS football team honors Rob Rumfelt.
– Saturday, April 21, 7 p.m.: CLHS honors Paul Larrea.
– Sunday, April 22, 2 p.m.: CLHS honors Paul Larrea and the Josh Hansen Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For tickets, call CLHS at 707-262-3010, or purchase tickets on the day of the show. And thank you for celebrating this special production of “Oz” and our Lake County loved ones, for “… There’s no place like home!” And no place like Lake County.