The cast of Oz on Ice gets ready to perform

Friday kicks off opening night for the Idaho Falls Figure Skating Club and the Idaho Falls Learn to Skate Program’s, “Oz on Ice.”

This two-day show tells the tale of Dorothy and all her friends in Oz, but with a little bit of twist and a fresh take.

“You’ll see people who competed in random competitions, they’ve also been testing,” said Destiny Blatter, the Choreographer of the show. “But the funnest part for me is probably the learn to skaters and to see all of the amazing things that they’re learning, and that they’re able to show all of there families, friends, and just the community at large. It’s so fun to see them go out and be active.”

With a cast of 60 people, it ranges from toddlers to teens to even some of adults out on the rink. They’ve been learning and working really hard all year to showcase these skills to the public.

“The kids having been practicing for over 2 months,” said Blatter. “A lot of the figure skating clubbers have been practicing a little bit longer than that, but the learn to skaters have been going on for 2 months. These last couple weeks have been our big push.”

With these kids practicing early mornings, and late nights, it’s made for a long couple of months. But, they cant wait to show the public.

“I do a lot of my favorite elements, like my backwards catch foot spiral,” said Reagan, who plays The Scarecrow.

“Well I’m just excited to show my family how much I’ve improved,” exclaimed Kate, who plays Dorothy.

Improve they have. With kids hitting the ice nearly everyday, practicing spins, jumps, and more. It comes at no surprise to see the amount of improvement.

“As far as their quality of skating this a chance to work with new and different coaches and they excel,” said Jenell Lester, the President of the Idaho Falls Figure Skating Club. “They learn new moves, new programs just all of them grow.”

Not only have instructors seen the kids get better in skating, but something else as well.

“Some of the kids have really come out of their shell, and they found new friends, they’ve been apart of team,” Lester explained.

Which makes it more than kids coming together to make a show happen.

“This is how I technically make friends, by learning with each other our groups our programs,” said Charity, who has the role of the Wicked Witch of the West’s sister. “Technically this is the only place I’ve made my best friends.”

That’s something they can take with them forever.

The club will be hosting a raffle and intermission activities like a chuck-a-puck challenge, where people will be able to chuck a puck onto the ice to win prizes. Raffle items donated in the past included goody baskets, gift certificates, and more.

The performances are March 30 and 31 at 6 p.m. at the Idaho Falls Ice Arena at Tautphaus Park.

Admission is $5 per person, and $20 per family.