The Wizard of Oz at Wheelock Family Theatre
Oz is that place, ten minutes before sleep, where we bind up our wounds, soak our feet, dream ourselves better, snooze poetry on our lips, and decide that mankind, for all its snide and mean and dumb, must be given another chance come down, and a hearty breakfast. - Ray Bradbury
With publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, Baum revealed his vision for a new kind of children’s book: thrilling adventures from a child’s point of view, showing the child’s ability to journey into the world, to solve problems, and to secure a return home. Baum acknowledged the influence of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, which he was deliberately revising in his "wonder tales" for American readers, so as to embody the human virtues of intelligence, caring, and courage.
The Wizard of Oz, developed from the ever popular 1939 MGM screenplay, is an enchanting musical adaptation of the all time classic fantasy of children’s literature. Containing all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score including; Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and all the favorite characters and iconic moments. The Wizard of Oz has become a genuine piece of American folklore, an allegory of the American Dream where troubles melt like lemon-drops and dreams really do come true.
The Wizard of Oz at Wheelock Family Theatre
Directed and designed by James P. Byrne (Rocky Horror at ART, Gold Dust Orphans, Harwich Junior Theatre) with musical direction by Jon Goldberg, costumes by Melissa Miller, lighting by Franklin Meissner, sound by Roger Moore, and properties by Marge Lusignan.
Katherine Leigh Doherty* as Dorothy (Bway’s A Little Night Music (2009), Mary Poppins (2006)), Gamalia Pharms* (Auntie Em), Lisa Yuen* (Glinda), Jane Staab* (Wicked Witch), Ricardo Engermann* (Scarecrow), Shelley Bolman* (Tin Man), Timothy John Smith (Cowardly Lion), John Davin* (Wizard), and Sofia Villafane as Toto.
Attend with your family to the Wheelock Family Theatre and join Dorothy as she is swept away by a tumultuous storm; over the moon, beyond the stars, and into the wonderful world of Oz.
Location: 180 The Riverway on the campus of Wheelock College in Boston’s Fenway district
Parking: Discounted parking at MASCO garage at 375 Longwood Avenue
MBTA: Fenway or Longwood on Green Riverside Line (D train); CT busses to Beth Israel
Access: The Theatre is wheelchair accessible. All performances are Open captioned. Friday 02/24 at 7:30 & Sunday 02/26 at 3:00 performances are interpreted in American Sign Language and Audio-described.
Performance recommended for adults and children 6 and up.
Wheelock Family Theatre has been recognized both locally and nationally for its commitment to accessible, multi-cultural, multi-generational productions for all families. Recognized by the Boston Theatre Critic’s Association and the Independent Reviewers of New England in 2011 for 30 years of excellence, Wheelock Family Theatre has also been hailed as a Massachusetts treasure, receiving the 2005 Commonwealth Award and a leader in access programs for people with disabilities receiving the Kennedy Center’s LEAD Award. Wheelock Family Theatre’s early commitment to diversity in Boston theatre was recognized in 2000 by Actor’s Equity Association’s with its presentation of the Rosetta LeNoire Award.
For additional information about the production, please contact:
Charles G. Baldwin 617-879-2147 cbaldwin@wheelock.edu
