THE WIZARD OF OZ to Play The Orpheum, 6/14-19

The Orpheum Theatre is delighted to announce that the North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ will play June 14-19 at The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. Tickets are on sale now on and are available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, and all Ticketmaster centers (901.743.ARTS).

Memphis native Justin G. Nelson is featured in the Ensemble, portraying the Mayor of Munchkinland, a citizen of Emerald City, and a Winkie. Justin graduated from Overton High School, Middle Tennessee State University (BM) and The University of Memphis (MA). His Memphis credits include: Hairspray (Duane), The Color Purple, Billy Elliot, Footloose and Mary Poppins at Playhouse on the Square, and A Chorus Line (Richie) at Theatre Memphis. He has also appeared in productions at Circuit Playhouse and Hattiloo Theatre. www.justingnelson.com

This production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains 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 WIZARD OF OZ had its world premiere at The London Palladium Theatre in March of 2011. After a successful West End run, the production had its North American premiere in Toronto in December of 2012, and then embarked on a U.S. tour beginning in September of 2013.

The national tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ features 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 & Daniel Brodie (video/projection design), David Cullen (orchestrations) and Graham Hurman (musical supervision). Animals are provided by William Berloni.

Starring as Dorothy is Sarah Lasko. A University of Maryland graduate, Sarah most recently appeared at Maryland's Imagination Stage, where she originated the role of Lisa in Double Trouble, the musical adaptation of The Parent Trap. She appeared at the Kennedy Center as a soloist in "An Evening with Barbara Cook" and in "NSO Christmas Pops with Marvin Hamlisch."

Mark A. Harmon will star as Professor Marvel/The Wizard. Mark was seen in the national tours of Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright) and Hairspray (Wilbur Turnblad). He received a Carbonell Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for A Little Night Music (Broward Stage Door Theatre). Shani Hadjian will star as the Wicked Witch of the West. Shani appeared in the national tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche) and Fancy Nancy (Mom). Also starring in the production are Aaron Fried as Lion, Jay McGill as Tin Man, Morgan Reynolds as Scarecrow and Rachel Womble as Glinda.

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 the whole family.

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