Wizard of Oz question...

I am about to start a 4th - 8th grade production of Wizard of Oz. I've never directed this show before. My challenge is we're expecting so many kids to be in the show this year, and I am trying to get as many of them a speaking part as possible. I won't be able to get them all speaking parts, but some of the children have been in the program for years, and I'd like to reward them if possible.

Anyways my question is, do you think it would be okay to have Hunk, Hickory, and Zeke *not* be the same actors as Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion? Same with the Guard/Wizard. If I separate these Kansas parts from their Oz character, I can create more characters in the show. Do you think this is acceptable?

"That's perfectly acceptable. Many productions have done that. "

Thanks. And I meant to say Professor Marvel/Wizard. That one acceptable too? Just feels sacrilegious.

For makeup and costume purposes, the Kansas characters and the OZ characters were played by different actors.

That includes the farm hands, Mrs. Gulch, & Prof. Marvel.

Also, for the Witch's castle, roofing tiles work really, really well.