The Wizard of Oz

November 15 - January 6, 2013

By L. Frank Baum • Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg • Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company • Dance and Vocal Arrangement by Peter Howard • Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and Distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Directed by Linda Hartzell

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Details

There’s no place like Seattle Children’s Theatre to be transported to the wondrous discoveries of the Emerald City and the characters of Oz. After a tornado sweeps Dorothy from her Kansas home, she encounters both wickedness and wonder, Wizard and Witch, Munchkin and Monkey. Dorothy and her newfound friends journey on a quest to find heart, courage, brains and most importantly, home.

“As a little girl, this was my favorite story; I still believe there’s something beautiful over the rainbow. Wonderful songs and a wonderful story welcome children of all ages to this magical, mystical place.” – SCT Artistic Director Linda Hartzell

Location
Charlotte Martin Theatre

Age Recommendation
For Ages 5+

Performances

This production has past.

“My 7-year-old was bug-eye rapt”

NATALIE SINGER-VELUSH (parentmap)

Reviews

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: A New Imagining of The Wizard of Oz at Seattle Children’s Theatre

Seattle Children’s Theatre presents The Wizard of Oz

Technical Magic Shines in Seattle Children’s Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz

A Parent’s Review: The Wizard of Oz at Seattle Children’s Theatre

The Wizard of Oz for the first time

More Info

Age Recommendation:
Ages 5 and up - This classic tale of adventure inspires imaginations and reminds us of the power of self-confidence. Perilous escapes and scary characters might surprise young children.

Curriculum Connections: Courage, Wisdom, Compassion, Weather, Family, Quest, Self-Confidence, Reading, Adaptation

Running Time: 2 hours with an intermission

Cast and Design Team

The Wizard of Oz features an all-star cast, with many returning favorites. Kasey
Nusbickel, who played Dorothy in SCT’s 2008 production, stars again as the iconic lead. Julie
Briskman (Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch), Peter Crook (The Professor/Wizard), Auston James
(Hunk/Scarecrow), Sharva Maynard (Auntie Em/Glinda) and Todd Jefferson Moore
(Zeke/Cowardly Lion) all return, as well, in their original roles. They are newly joined by Hugh
Hastings (Uncle Henry/Oz Guard) and Dane Stokinger (Hickory/Tinman). The cast is
supported by a very talented ensemble, including Molli Corcoran, Beth Devries, Michael
Feldman, Fawn Ledesma and Ian Lindsay, and is rounded out with 17 additional youth actors,
many having performed in SCT’s Drama School, playing the roles of the Flying Monkeys,
Munchkins and Emerald Citizens. Beth Devries, John Dewar, Fawn Ledesma, Ian Lindsay and
Jane Muirhead understudy.

Director Hartzell has a talented and experienced artistic team behind her for this
production. They include Fight Choreographer Geoffrey Alm, Costume Designer Cathy Hunt,
Music Director Mark Rabe, Lighting Designer Rick Paulsen, Choreographer Marianne
Roberts, Puppet Master Annett Mateo, Projection Designer Lara Kaminsky, SCT Resident
Sound Designer Chris R. Walker and Set Designer Matthew Smucker. Music Director Rabe
will be joined by musicians Harlan Feinstein, Max Baldanado and Ed Littlefield.

Synopsis

In the aftermath of a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves in the middle of Oz. Dorothy is presumed to be responsible for the death of the Wicked Witch of the East, since her house landed on the despicable woman, leaving only her magical ruby slippers behind. While the Munchkins rejoice, the dead Witch’s sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, promises revenge. Luckily the Good Witch of the North, Glinda, holds power here – and she sends Dorothy down the Yellow Brick Road, with the ruby slippers to protect her, to request help getting home from the mysterious Wizard of Oz. Along the way, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion join the journey, in hopes that the Wizard will grant them the qualities they desire - a brain, a heart and courage.

The Wizard promises to address their wishes only if they bring him the Wicked Witch’s broomstick. The Witch has nasty powers and flying monkeys and will stop at nothing to get the ruby slippers from Dorothy. Dorothy prevails until a surprising turn of events finally makes Dorothy and her newfound friends realize the power they’ve had all along.