On road to stardom
Teen to play Dorothy in top Wizard of Oz show
A young starlet is set to follow the yellow brick road to stardom after landing a leading role.
Cara McQuinston (13) is set to star as Dorothy in Glasgow Theatre’s Creative Learning production of The Wizard of Oz.
This Friday she takes to the stage at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal for the opening night.
A budding stage star will step into a pair of famous glittery ruby slippers this Friday for her first major performance in musical theatre.
Thirteen-year-old West Mains girl Cara McQuinston has landed the leading role of Dorothy in Glasgow Theatre’s Creative Learning production of The Wizard of Oz.
And this Friday, the St Andrew’s and St Bride’s pupil will take to the stage at the city’s Theatre Royal for the opening night.
She will be joined on stage by the Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and Dorothy’s beloved pet dog Toto as they follow the Yellow Brick Road to the magical land of Oz.
Cara, who only took her first steps into musical theatre three years ago, told the News she was “blown away” when she got the call to be the leading lady.
She said: “I’m so excited to get the chance to perform on the big stage.
“I was completely blown away when I heard I was Dorothy and I am loving the whole experience.”
Her proud mum Lizanne (46) said: “It was a wonderful wee surprise for us all.
“Cara was completely overwhelmed — she thought she’d just be a munchkin or part of the chorus. She was crying her wee eyes out.”
Despite her young years, Cara is no stranger to the stage.
A member of Strathaven’s Cadzow Academy musical theatre group, she performed in Annie at East Kilbride Village Theatre earlier this year playing the role of Daddy Warbucks’ personal assistant Grace and has bagged leading roles in school productions.
She walked down the Yellow Brick Road once before as the Scarecrow in St Andrew’s and St Bride’s production of The Wizard of Oz in first year and landed the role of Widow Corney in Oliver.
And the promising young starlet is also preparing to sit her singing exam with LAMDA.
Lizanne, a Lanarkshire teacher, added: “Cara was a late starter in musical theatre.
“She joined Cadzow Academy when she was in P7 to build her confidence.
“She is naturally a quiet girl, but when she is on stage she comes alive — the first time we saw her we were blown away. Cara has fallen in love with the stage and is learning so much.
“She just loves that feeling when she is performing.
“Everyone, from me and her dad to her school and Cadzow, are so proud of her and how well she is doing.
“And I think it’s great for other kids to see how anything is possible.”
Lizanne, Cara’s fireman dad Derek, her family and friends will be supporting the youngster over the show’s three performances this Friday and Saturday.
The spellbinding musical features the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score including Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Follow the Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off to See the Wizard.
And the amateur production from Glasgow Theatre’s Creative Learning team will also be giving two other East Kilbride youngsters the fantastic opportunity to act, dance, sing on the prestigious Theatre Royal stage.
Calum Gilligan (16) and 11-yearold Charlotte Burnside also feature in the show.
Performances run on Friday, July 22 at 7pm, Saturday, July 23 matinee at 2pm and 7pm.
For tickets contact the Box Office on 0844 871 7647 or visit atgtickets. com/glasgow.