THE WIZARD OF OZ Travels Over The Rainbow To Houston

Society for the Performing Arts presents the greatest family musical of all time, THE WIZARD OF OZ. THE WIZARD OF OZ touches down in Houston at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts from February 23-24 for four shows.

This magical production is a celebration of the 1939 MGM movie, and will be presented with breathtaking special effects that will sweep audiences away from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas.

Leading the cast as Dorothy is Kalie Kaimann who received rave reviews last season in this role. She also previously played this role for The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati. She has performed as Bonnie in Anything Goes, Logainne in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ulla in The Producers, Millie Dilmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly! She received a Best Featured Actress in a Musical by BroadwayWorld.com for her performance as Minnie Fay.

Jack Saleeby returns to the tour in the role of Scarecrow/Hunk. He is a New York City based actor, writer, director/choreographer. He is a co-founder of the creative artists group known as The Fellowship. They are best known for their original musical Bright and Brave for which Saleeby wrote the lyrics. Other credits include: Molasses in January (Vincent, original cast; Off Broadway), Bat Boy: The Musical (Bat Boy), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Hello Dolly (Cornelius), Peter Pan (Curly), Jesus Christ Superstar.

Nick Gurinsky joins the tour as Hickory/Tinman in his national tour debut! Nick's previous credits include Sailor (Anything Goes!; Sharon Playhouse), Eddie (Mamma Mia; Beef & Boards), Phil (White Christmas; Dutch Apple), Ensemble (Chicago; Park Playhouse), and Norwegian Cruise Lines (RSS Explorer). He went to school at CAP 21 Musical Theatre Conservatory.

Nick Gurinsky (Hickory/Tinman) National Tour Debut! Previous credits: Sailor (Anything Goes!; Sharon Playhouse), Eddie (Mamma Mia; Beef & Boards), Phil (White Christmas; Dutch Apple), Ensemble (Chicago; Park Playhouse), Norwegian Cruise Lines (RSS Explorer). Training: CAP 21 Musical Theatre Conservatory. Many thanks and lots of love to PEG, friends, family and his incredibly supportive parents. @nickgurinsky nickgurinsky.com

NICHOLAS J. PEARSON will portray Zeke/The Lion and is thrilled to bring a story of brains, heart and courage across the country. His past regional credits include Crazy for You (Moose), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Present), Rocky Horror Show (Eddie), and Spamalot (Mrs. Galahad/Sir Bedevere).

The other leading roles will be played by: Emily Perzan who returns as Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West. Her regional credits include Velma (Chicago), Cassie (A Chorus Line), Vivian (Legally Blonde), Maureen (Rent), Rutledge (1776). Katherine Walker Hill joins the cast as Aunt Em/Glinda. Her favorite regional credits include White Christmas (Betty Haynes), Singin' in the Rain (Kathy Selden), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van De Graaff), A Chorus Line (Sheila), and Anything Goes (Bonnie). Troy Bruchwalski joins the tour in the role of Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz. He recently toured with the national tour of Spamalot (Sir Dennis Galahad, The Black Knight), Ragtime (Father) and Camelot (Sir Lionel). Recent credits include: Phantom (Phantom), The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Showboat (Ravenal), and White Christmas (Bob Wallace). MICHAEL WEAVER returns in the roles of Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper. His national tour credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Regional: Shear Madness, Camelot, Sister Act, Greater Tuna, and Christmas Story.

And of course everyone wants to know who will play Toto. His name is MURPHY and he is a white Brussels Griffon/Cairn Terrier mix with scruffy fur and an adorable underbite. Murphy was rescued on February 5th, 2016 from the ASPCA in Chandler, AZ by Lizzie Webb (music director for The Wizard of Oz tour) and was immediately welcomed into the theatre world. He has been a trusty backstage companion, a pit orchestra puppy (sleeping at mom's feet while she plays piano and conducts shows) and within a few months of adoption he was onstage as Willoughby in Mary Poppins. This will be his second time playing Toto. He even has his own hashtag! #montanamurphy

Dean Sobon returns as the Director and previously created the national tours of Fiddler on the Roof and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Other directing credits include: Clue, the Musical, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Crazy For You, A Christmas Carol, How To Succeed In Business, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Big River, The Sound of Music and Guys & Dolls. Amy McCleary returns to create the magical choreography and she was the Director/Choreographer of the national tour of Memphis, the Musical and the choreographer of the national tour of The Wedding Singer. The team of Sobon and McCleary will take Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow "Over the Rainbow" to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest and the Emerald City.

Featuring the classic songs, as composed by Harold Arlen, "Over the Rainbow," "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" and "If I Only Had A Brain," along with the other beloved characters, THE WIZARD OF OZ will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable day at the theater.

Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Group rates for 10+ people are available. Prices are subject to change.

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