WHS grad is manager of 'Wizard of Oz' production
By Teresa Stowell of the Daily Times staff
Monday, December 8, 2008 12:26 PM CST
“There's no place like home.”
Those famous words are uttered by Dorothy in the classic movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” But Joel Herbst, formerly of Watertown and company manager of the production, is also getting his wish to return home while “The Wizard of Oz” debuts at the Overture Center in Madison Dec. 12 to 14.
“I love coming back to Wisconsin,” Herbst said. “Every time we're scheduled to go to Wisconsin I try to fit in a trip near Watertown so I can tell everyone about the city and the home of the first kindergarten. Even when we're not in Wisconsin I'm always telling everyone little facts about our state.”
Herbst, son of Dan and Connie Herbst of Watertown, graduated with the class of 1992 at Watertown High School. After graduating from Carrol College in 1996 he has been traveling throughout the country as a professional actor and in the past five years as a manager.
He has performed roles in “Fiddler on the Roof,” and acted as Albert in a “Bye Bye Birdie” play. Some of his other well recognized roles have been the Tin Man in “Wizard of Oz,” and Uncle Max in “Sound of Music.” In the past five years he has transitioned from acting to managing and is now the company manager for the “Wizard of Oz.” He represents Networks Presentations, one of the largest touring companies in North America, based in Maryland. Last year he was the company manager for the production of the “Wedding Singer.”
“I wanted to try something different,” Herbst said. “I was getting to the age where I was too old for certain roles and a little too young for other roles. I've really enjoyed the logistical side of the production as opposed to the artistic side.”
Some of his duties as company manager include arranging payroll, travel, box office reports, and basically representing the company on the road. He watches over 43 members of the tour which does not include two dogs, who act as Toto in the play. One dog is the understudy for Toto.
“Other than the 43 members we tour with we also pick up 12 local children to play the munchkins in each city we stop in,” Herbst said. “So add in the children and the dogs and it's probably the most difficult show I've ever done in my life. I'm always on my toes waiting for the next thing to happen or when I might have to adjust schedules.”
Herbst said he's in charge of the cast and crew whenever they are not on stage. He schedules activities, parties and makes sure everyone is accounted for and knows where they are going.
“I've always thought I was just going to be a performer,” he recalled. “Then I went on tour and discovered this line of work and it appealed to me. I like being in charge. It suits my type A personality.”
This week Herbst and the cast are in Washington, D.C., for a performance, last week the tour was in Philadelphia. Before coming to Madison, there will be a single show in Wausau.
“The last three years I've only had five weeks off,” Herbst said. “Most of my possessions are in two suitcases. I can't imagine staying in one place too long.”
After the performance in Madison, Herbst will have a few days off where he plans to visit his family in Watertown and other relatives in the area. Many of his family members plan to see Herbst in Madison and watch the performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”
For more information about the show, visit
www.overturecenter.com.
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