AJ Bridel is finally getting her chance to journey over the rainbow.
The Kitchener native shot to fame two years ago as the runner-up on CBC’s hit reality TV series, Over The Rainbow, which saw Canadians vote for an aspiring young performer to play Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revival of The Wizard of Oz in Toronto.
Next March, she’ll tackle the iconic role in Drayton Entertainment’s grand-scale production of The Wizard of Oz.
“AJ is a terrific performer with the right qualities for this beloved role,” says Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
Andrew Lloyd Webber chose Bridel as a top ten finalist for Over The Rainbow. She competed on the show for eight weeks, becoming a fan favourite and winning praise from the judges for her performances of well-loved songs like Mambo Italiano, Nobody Does It Better and Feeling Good, as well as musical theatre show-stopper One Night Only, All That Jazz and Memory.
“I am beyond excited to finally get the chance to play Dorothy in a professional production of The Wizard of Oz,” says Bridel. “To get to play this iconic role at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, so close to my hometown of Kitchener, is truly a dream come true.”
Tickets for The Wizard of Oz are on sale now, just in time for the holidays. Purchase tickets for a specific performance or let loved ones choose the show with a customized gift certificate in any amount.
Regular performance tickets are $42 for adults and $25 for youth under 20. Tickets for preview performances before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $34.
The Wizard of Oz runs March 4 through March 29. Tickets can be purchased at Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, online at www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com or by calling the box office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
