THE WIZARD OF OZ


January 27 – February 26, 2012

By L. Frank Baum

With music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg

Background music by Herbert Stothart

Dance and vocal arrangements by Peter Howard

Orchestration by Larry Wilcox

Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company

Based upon the classic motion picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.


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 dawn, 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.


Come 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.


THE WIZARD OF OZ January 27 – February 26

Friday nights at 7:30; Saturday & Sunday matinees at 3:00; School vacation week matinees at 1:00