OVER THE RAINBOW TV Show Set to Cast Dorothy in ALW's Canadian THE WIZARD OF OZ - Audition Details

CBC launches nationwide search for Dorothy on June 1, to appear on CBC Television's OVER THE RAINBOW and star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Canadian production of The Wizard of Oz, as reported in BWW yesterday. Further details about the show have been announced.

"The dreams that you dare to dream really do come true". So says the timeless classic song "Over the Rainbow", and that's exactly what will happen for one aspiring performer who will be selected the winner of OVER THE RAINBOW, the exciting new live competition series coming to CBC Television this fall, produced by Temple Street Productions. The winning Dorothy will star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz, opening at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto this December.

"We're looking for a fresh new star in the making, and Canadians will play a key role in helping us to find our "Dorothy," said David Mirvish, Mirvish Productions. "The new Dorothy must be able to not only sing, act and dance at a high level, but also have the charisma and presence to carry a marquee production on one of the country's largest stages night after night."

The nationwide search opens with live auditions starting Friday, June 1 in Vancouver, followed by stops in Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto. Those auditioning are asked to prepare "Over the Rainbow" and another song of their choice.

Live Audition Schedule:

Friday June 1st Vancouver The Westin Grand Vancouver 9:30am to 6:00pm
Saturday June 2nd Vancouver The Westin Grand Vancouver 9:30am to 1:30pm
Sunday, June 3rd Calgary Sheraton Suites Calgary 9:30am – 6:00pm
Monday, June 4th Winnipeg Fairmont 9:30am to 6:00pm
Saturday, June 9th Montreal The Sheraton Centre 9:30am to 6:00pm
Sunday, June 10th Halifax Westin Nova Scotian 9:30am to 6:00pm
Monday, June 18th Toronto Glenn Gould Studios, CBC 9:30am to 6:00pm

For those unable to attend the live auditions, there's also a unique opportunity to submit your performance online with the Ticket to Oz contest, which will offer one talented individual a place in the Top 100.

In addition, there will also be a secondary search for the role of Toto, which will be featured on weekly Monday night results episodes of OVER THE RAINBOW. The winning Toto will appear in the finale episode of OVER THE RAINBOW.

Starting in September, host Daryn Jones will introduce the 10 finalists who will compete live on OVER THE RAINBOW Sunday nights on CBC Television, singing a mixture of Broadway and pop songs each week. Then, in half-hour results episodes on Monday nights, the bottom two Dorothys (as determined by an online public vote) will face-off and one participant will be saved from elimination by the judges. The competition will culminate in a showdown between the final three, with Lord Lloyd Webber himself in attendance, and Canada choosing the winner.

For further details, visit cbc.ca/overtherainbow.