Danielle Wade, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Cedric Smith to Lead THE WIZARD OF OZ North American Tour; Full Cast Announced!

Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment & Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures just announced that casting is complete for the first North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ, which will commence on September 10, 2013 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.

The North American tour will feature many of the same talented cast currently starring in the Toronto production including, as previously announced as Dorothy, Danielle Wade, who was chosen by the Canadian public through CBC TV's "Over The Rainbow." Starring opposite Danielle is one of Canada's most respected and honored actors: Gemini-winner, film and theatre veteran, Cedric Smith as the Wizard.

Actor and choreographer Mike Jackson (Chicago, Broadway/U.S. tour; Contact, U.S. tour) plays the Tin Man. Star of Mamma Mia! (Toronto/U.S. tour) and a Dora Award winner for his play High Life, Lee MacDougall plays the Lion. Jamie McKnight, known for his performance in The Producers (Toronto) and as one of the Canadian Tenors, plays the Scarecrow. Robin Evan Willis, star of many Shaw Festival productions, plays Glinda. Joining the cast as the Wicked Witch of the West is Broadway and national tour veteran Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Les Mis, Miss Saigon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Closer Than Ever).

Rounding out the ensemble are Larry Mannell, Charlotte Moore, Jordan Bell, John Edwards, Kelly Grainger, Julianne Hobby, Jason Huska, Zak Kearns, Ayrin Mackie, Anthony MacPherson, Stewart Adam McKensy, Julia McLellan, Briana Palmer, Kristen Pottle, Alana Randall, Adam Sergison, AnDrew Taylor, Devon Tullock, Jesse Weafer, Ryan Wilson and Alyson Workman.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ contains all the beloved Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ will feature the same award-winning creative team from London and Toronto: Jeremy Sams (direction), Robert Jones (set and costume design), Arlene Phillips (choreography), Hugh Vanstone (lighting design), Mick Potter (sound design), Jon Driscoll (video/projection design), David Cullen (orchestrations) and Graham Hurman (musical supervision). Animals will be provided by William Berloni.

THE WIZARD OF OZ had its North American premiere on December 20, 2012 in Toronto, ON, at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, where it continues to play through August 18, 2013.

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts' desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.

The following cities are announced for the tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ:

Sep 10 - 15, 2013 The Smith Center, Las Vegas, NV

Sep 17 - Oct 6, 2013 Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Oct 9 - 13, 2013 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA

Oct 16 - 27, 2013 Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, CA

Nov 5 - 10, 2013 Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC

Dec 4 - 29, 2013 The Ordway, St. Paul, MN

Dec 31 - Jan 5, 2014 The Peace Center, Greenville, SC

Jan 7 - 19, 2014 Broward Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Jan 21 - 26, 2014 Barbara B. Mann PAH, Ft. Myers, FL

Feb 4 - 9, 2014 ASU Gammage, Tempe, AZ

Feb 11 - 23, 2014 Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA

Feb 25 - Mar 2, 2014 Centennial Hall, Tucson, AZ

Mar 4 - 16, 2014 Hobby Center, Houston, TX

Mar 18 - 30, 2014 Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas, TX

Apr 1 - 6, 2014 Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR

Apr 8 - 13, 2014 Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC

Apr 15 - 19, 2014 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL

Apr 22 - 27, 2014 Devos Hall, Grand Rapids, MI

May 13 - 18, 2014 Fabulous Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO

May 28 - Jun 1, 2014 Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, MD

Jun 3 - 8, 2014 Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA

Additional cities will be announced at a later date.