Penobscot Theatre Company Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ, Now thru 12/28

There's no place like home-especially for the holidays-and this holiday season, there will be no place like Penobscot Theatre Company. The Wizard of Oz will take audiences over the rainbow, tonight, December 4-28, in a journey comfortably familiar yet delightfully surprising. Acclaimed director and choreographer Michele Colvin (The Honky Tonk Angels) has returned to Bangor to bring the beloved classic to life, offering a fresh vision of a world where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems.

Widely regarded as America's first original fairy tale, The Wizard of Oz is based on the book by L. Frank Baum and best known through the 1939 film starring Judy Garland. It is the story of Dorothy Gale, a lonely young girl from Kansas, who is carried by twister to the magical land of Oz, where she meets new friends and frightening adversaries as she finds her way home. The iconic role of Dorothy will be shared by Molly Hagerty of Bangor and Bronwyn Beardsley of Ellsworth, both seventh-graders and the youngest actors in the 18-person cast. "The audience will experience Oz through Dorothy's eyes," explains Colvin, "seeing all the wonder and peeling back the layers in her quest for truth."

Singing and dancing along the yellow brick road will be local standouts Dominick Varney, Ben Layman, and Ira Kramer as the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tinman, respectively; Arthur Morison as the Wizard/Professor; Brianne Beck and Auntie Em/Glinda the Good Witch; and Brad LaBree as Uncle Henry/the Guard. Pamela Chabora, an Equity actress from Portland whose credits include the 2011-2012 Broadway tour of The Fiddler on the Roof, will play the Wicked Witch of the West. Sophie, a five-year-old, 8.5-pound Yorkshire terrier who lives in Bangor with Cindy Ingalls and Amy McCormack, will make her theatrical debut in the role of Toto. Some of the region's most talented vocalists and dancers comprise The Wizard's diverse ensemble: Tina Burns, Stephanie Erb, Grace Livingston (dance captain), Heather Libby, Matt Madore, Daniel Perkins, Bob Potts, Birdie Sawyer, and Alyssa Stubbs.

Phil Burns is directing the pit band and playing keyboard, joined by seasoned musicians Will Davis on violin, Wellington Gordon on bass, Scott Rapaport on reed, Brian Nadeau on trumpet, James Winters on trombone, and Tom Libby on drums.

Leading the design team is Lex Liang (scenic and costume), Shon Causer (lighting), Brandie Rita (sound) and Meredith Perry (properties).

For the third consecutive year, Penobscot Theatre Company is proudly partnering with the Bangor Humane Society to encourage dog adoption throughout the run of the holiday show. "At each performance we'll feature a cute canine seeking a two-legged companion," said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport. "The dog who played Toto in the film version of The Wizard of Oz was adopted from a shelter and trained for the role. Certainly every dog deserves a chance to play a starring role in a loving home."

The Wizard of Oz is produced in partnership with Dead River Company, Deighan Wealth Advisors, Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic, Bangor International Airport, Granville Stone and Hearth, and Green Acres Kennel Shop. The theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided throughout the season by the following sponsors: Canyon Networks, The Charles Inn, Bangor Daily News, The Maine Arts Commission, The Maine Edge, Blueberry Broadcasting, Downtown with Rich Kimball, ZONE Radio, and WLBZ Channel 2.

To purchase tickets or for more details, call the Box Office at (207) 942-3333 or go online at www.penobscottheatre.org.

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