Theatre-goers are being urged to venture down the yellow brick road to the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge for the touch down of the greatest family musical of all time.
The Wizard of Oz will run eight times a week from March 4 to 29.
The show is the stage adaptation of the 1939 Hollywood film. After a twister hits her Kansas farm, young Dorothy Gale is transported over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz. She soon teams up with a Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion and embarks on an epic journey, along with her faithful dog, Toto, to find the mighty Wizard who can help grant their wishes and send her back home.
Featuring such beloved songs as Over The Rainbow, Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead and If I Only Had A Brain, The Wizard of Oz promises to enchant munchkins of all ages.
“The Wizard of Oz is treasured by audiences young and old,” said Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment Alex Mustakas.
“We are very excited to present this spectacular show as the first production of our 2015 season in Cambridge.”
The enduring children’s story is brought to life on stage by director Madeline Paul, who has worked extensively as a director and choreographer in Canada and the U.S. Paul is joined by choreographer Gino Berti, music director Jeannie Wyse, costume designer Rachel Berchtold, and lighting designer Jason Hand.
The cast assembled for the production includes AJ Bridel as heroine Dorothy Gale. Bridel is best known to audiences as a runner-up on the CBC reality show Over The Rainbow, and as the title role in Peter Pan: The Panto.
As Dorothy’s disadvantaged companions, Jamie McKnight is the Scarecrow, Mike Jackson is the Tin Man, and Nick Settimi is the Cowardly Lion.
McKnight, a former member of the Canadian Tenors, recently entertained audiences with his hilarious portrayal of the Prince in Snow White: The Panto.
Jackson boasts an impressive resume having appeared in numerous musicals across North America including in Chicago on Broadway. He will direct and choreograph the Drayton Entertainment production of Chicago at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in June. Theatregoers may recognize Settimi from a host of comic roles including Sheldon Lubliner in Twist & Shout: The British Invasion, Willard in Footloose and Chef Louis in Disney’s The Little Mermaid last season.
Audience favourite Jackie Mustakas, who recently appeared as the evil queen in Snow White: The Panto, will resume her villainous ways as the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.
Ted Simonett is Uncle Henry and Heather McGuigan is Dorothy’s devoted Auntie Em and Glinda the Good Witch. Anthony Bekenn is the great and powerful Wizard of Oz with Sam DiGiuseppe, Kayla James, Judy Kovacs, Anthony MacPherson, Sarah Matton and Gregory Pember rounding out the adult ensemble.
To add to the excitement, 35 local children have been given the opportunity to perform alongside the professional cast as munchkins. Hundreds of youngsters from across Waterloo Region and beyond auditioned at an open call in January for the roles. The children’s ensemble cast was announced this week along with the canine performer who will play the role of Dorothy’s sidekick Toto.
“The Wizard of Oz is the quintessential family theatre experience,” said Mustakas. “Take a break from the snow and warm up to the magic of Oz – this production is a definite must”see.”
Tickets are over 80% sold out and fans are encouraged to book soon to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are $42 for adults and $25 for youth under 20. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are $34 each.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com, in person at the theatre box office, or by calling 519-621-8000 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
