WIZARD OF OZ Opens Tonight at York Little Theatre

York Little Theatre will present THE WIZARD OF OZ, a musical on their main stage, this weekend, November 21-23, 28-30 & December 5-7. This lavish show with gorgeous costumes, spectacular sets and special effects is the perfect start to launch the holiday season. The shows second weekend falls right after Thanksgiving, a perfect time for a holiday outing with family and friends. Group rates are also available for groups of 15 or more for a corporate, club, church or nursing home outing. Plan ahead- tickets are $2 off the original price if purchased prior to opening night. The musical includes all of the songs made famous by the MGM movie that children of all ages have enjoyed for 75 years. 2014 marks the 75 anniversary of the film's release.

The musical is directed by Rene Staub, with music direction by Jacquie Sutton and choreography by Donna Lynch. The LIVE orchestra will be conducted by Kim Hostetter. Dorothy Gale will be played by Grace Atherholt. Nik Olsen will play the brain-yearning Scarecrow. Jeffrey Gilbert will play the kind-hearted Tinman, and the courage-lacking Lion will be played by Jeremiah Herbert. Miranda Zerbe will spread her evil magic as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Melissa Rosenfeld will help Dorothy get home as Glinda. The Wizard of Oz himself will be played by Kevin Allen. The cast of over 50 includes over 25 munchkins. Some of the munchkins double as flying monkeys.

Toto is played by a Yorkshire-Terrier named Summer. Director Rene Staub has known Summer's owner, Peg Rhodes, for over 20 years. She has helped Staub with numerous productions calling for dogs to be in shows. Peg trains the dogs on stage through repetition, utilizing a clicker and food, so they stay when they need to and run to the specific actors and actresses.

Susan Taylor and her team will create hairstyles and makeup for the large cast necessary to produce THE WIZARD OF OZ. The makeup room is filled with various wigs, hats and make-up colors that will bring Ozians, munchkins, witches, a Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion to life. Jeff Pettyjohn is the lighting designer who will work with director and set designer Rene Staub to produce the numerous special effects necessary to make witches appear and disappear as well as the giant visual of the Wizard. Front and rear projections, fog, special lighting techniques and sound effects are carefully designed to make the theatre magic happen.

THE WIZARD OF OZ will run November 21-23, 28-30 & December 5-7. Friday & Saturday performances are at 7:30p.m. Sunday performances are at 3:00p.m. Purchase tickets before opening night and save $2 off the regular ticket price. Call the box office at 717-854-5715 or go to www.ylt.org to ensure your seat for this extraordinary musical event for the entire family.

To post a comment, you must register and login.