When Brandywine students take the stage this Thursday to perform “The Wizard of Oz,” they’ll be putting on a show that holds a special place in the hearts of people of all ages, especially their director’s.

This is the third time Denise Boger has directed “The Wizard of Oz.” The last time she directed the musical in 2003, her co-director, August Garritano, was in eighth grade.

“It’s really special to me because we did it 11 years ago now, and I think that’s really amazing,” said Garritano, who was in junior high when he played Hickory, a farmhand.

Boger’s emotional ties to the show are even deeper, though. During the production of “The Wizard of Oz” in 1996, the social studies teacher helping out with the show proposed to her. Now the assistant principal at Brandywine Middle/Senior High School, Jim Boger has helped his wife and students of all ages put on a total of 20 fall musicals, including this one.

“It’s a very special show,” Denise said.

Two casts will perform a total of four shows at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a special Saturday matinee beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and students under 10.

Both directors said they were surprised by the amount of students who had never seen the classic movie.

“When we’re directing the show, we’re telling (the cast) that you still have to be creative and develop your character, but there’s a certain expectation from whoever is coming to see this show of what the Scarecrow is going to be like, or what the Cowardly Lion is going to be like. Unlike some other shows, you can’t take certain liberties,” Garritano said.

Senior Katie Rose, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West in one cast, said she realized she had big shoes to fill.

“It was difficult at first trying to figure out how to be this character. So many people have seen this movie. It’s a classic. And we can’t stray too far from how they did it,” she said.

Senior Hallie Carnes, who plays Dorothy in both casts, said she was happy to have the opportunity to share the stage with so many talented young actors from the elementary school.

Unlike the last time Boger directed the show, this year she invited students from fourth grade on up to participate.

“Mrs. Boger teaches choir in the elementary now, and I do the Performing Arts Workshop, so we’re just trying to follow suit with that. We want kids to be able to ‘catch the bug’ and really build up the next generation of actors and thespians,” Garritano said.

Carnes encourages everyone to come see the show, especially families with children

“Everyone is so familiar with ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Everyone knows it. It’s fun for everyone,” she said. “They’ll enjoy it.”