L. Frank Baum News

Seven is the perfect number. Thursday night marked my seventh time seeing the hit musical “Wicked.” Here’s the countdown: Twice in San Francisco in high school, once in New York as a high school graduation present, three times in Chicago to see a family friend in the cast, and, now, once in Sacramento where the mind blowing show — as so many have called it — plays through June 17 at the Community Center Theater. (more...)

Today 1985, the first Broadway revival of The Wiz opened at the Lunt-Fontanne THeatre, where it ran for 13 performances. The Wiz is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to the Majestic Theatre. The 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. (more...)

This summer, one of the greatest family musicals of all time is touching down in Grand Bend. The Huron Country Playhouse presents The Wizard of Oz for a limited three-week engagement, June 4th though June 23rd. (more...)

THE WIZARD OF OZ, featuring Sophie Evans as Dorothy and Russell Grant as The Wizard, ust celebrated 500 performances at the London Palladium. Check out a photo of the cast on the big day, as featured on the show's official website! (more...)

With an illustrious career spanning stage, film and television, Tony Award-winner Bernadette Peters' voice will be heard in Summertime Entertainment's 3D CG animated feature, DOROTHY OF OZ as "Glinda," the powerful sorceress who once granted Dorothy Gale's wish to go back to Kansas. "To have Bernadette Peters as ‘Glinda' is such a treat," said Will Finn, one of the film's directors. "She epitomizes the character who is known by Oz fans worldwide to have a very caring and generous heart." (more...)

Director Elaine Gatchell announces open auditions for Leddy Center’s fall production of L. Frank Baum’s classic story, The Wizard of Oz, Saturday, June 2. (more...)

While the name L. Frank Baum is most immediately associated with his legendary workThe Wizard of Oz, the author is one of the most prolific writers to date. Following the success of Oz, Baum would go on to write the charming underwater adventure The Sea Fairies, published in 1911. (more...)

"The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, book by John Kane, music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, directed by Jonah Hagans, will be presented on TIP's mainstage May 17-20. TIP has also announced several upcoming performances and the program for its 2012-2013 season. (more...)

Toby’s Dinner Theatre has a long history of presenting high quality productions. However, could they pull off the technicolor vision of The Wizard Of Oz that most people see in their mind's eye? Happily for the audience, answer is yes. (more...)

The Windham Theatre Guild has announced its 2012-2013 season, which kicks off this summer in the Burton Leavitt Theatre, 779 Main Street, Willimantic, Conn. (more...)

On Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m., enter the wonderful world of "The Wizard of Oz" at West Cape May Elementary School, 301 Moore St., West Cape May, performed by 20 students under the direction of East Lynne Theater Company's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, assisted by technical director, Lee O’Connor. (more...)

Journey to a world of witches, wizards and munchkins in the Yardley Players’ production of the musical, “The Wizard of Oz” at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times for this enduring classic are: Fridays, March 23 and March 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, March 24 and March 31 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, March 25 and April 1 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on March 23. (Note: Earlier start time for family audiences.) (more...)

On Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m., enter the wonderful world of "The Wizard of Oz" at West Cape May Elementary School, 301 Moore St., West Cape May, performed by 20 students under the direction of East Lynne Theater Company's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, assisted by technical director, Lee O’Connor. (more...)

The musical WICKED will make a stop in Montreal this summer as part of its North American Tour. The show will play at Place des Arts from August 1st to the 26th. (more...)

The Society of London Theatre has today announced the shortlist for the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award. The public will vote for the overall winner. The shortlisted shows are BILLY ELLIOT, JERSEY BOYS, LES MISÉRABLES and WICKED. (more...)

Check out this new footage of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium. It features Sophie Evans as Dorothy and Russell Grant as The Wizard, plus the two songs "We're Off to See the Wizard" and "The Land of Oz". (more...)

Journey to a world of witches, wizards and munchkins in the Yardley Players’ production of the musical, “The Wizard of Oz” at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times for this enduring classic are: Fridays, March 23 and March 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, March 24 and March 31 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, March 25 and April 1 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on March 23. (Note: Earlier start time for family audiences.) (more...)

Just in time for spring, Rep audiences are invited to "ease on down the road" with one of Broadway's most popular musicals! This funky musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's beloved classic "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" explodes onstage with Dorothy, her friends and her little dog too, in a vibrant fusion of '70s rock and Motown melodies. The production will play March 9 through April 1. (more...)

Original cast members Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope both recently departed the West End production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, and have been replaced by Over the Rainbow finalist Sopie Evans and Russell Grant and Dorothyand the Wizard respectively. Check out production images of the newcomers in action below! (more...)

On Twitter Watch, Wicked London wrote "Take a look at #HelenaBonhamCarter at Wicked on Wednesday! Which song do you think Helena would have liked the most?!" (more...)