THE WIZARD OF OZ Comes to The Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Take a fun-filled journey down the yellow brick road with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz, Young Performers' Edition!

Renowned performer and Conservatory faculty member Ricky Nahas will direct and choreograph the upcoming production of the beloved musical on July 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. on the Theatre's stage. Fun for the entire family, tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children.

The show will star 45 students from Palm Beach, Martin County and beyond who are participating in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts' three-week Junior Conservatory summer camp (grades 3-5), in which students learn all aspects of theatre such as acting, dance and voice, culminating in full performances of The Wizard of Oz, Young Performers' Edition.

The spectacular tale tells the story of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away to another world. Join Dorothy, her dog Toto and her new friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion as they seek the Wizard of Oz!

A classic story that has been entertaining audiences for decades, the musical is a one-hour adaptation of The Wizard of Oz that is based on the 1900 children's book by L. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, background music by Herbert Stothart, dance and vocal arrangements by Peter Howard and orchestration by Larry Wilcox. Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the production is based on the classic 1939 motion picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.

"The Wizard of Oz is widely considered to be one of the greatest films in cinema history, and the storytelling is truly spectacular onstage," said Julie Rowe, director of education for the Conservatory. "Legendary for its unforgettable score and whimsical characters, it's one of those musicals that people of all ages can see repeatedly and love it even more each time. Audiences will love this new stage adaptation of the story they know and love!"

Seen onstage in the Theatre's professional productions of Les Misérables, The Wiz and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nahas has served as a Conservatory faculty member for the past five years, teaching voice and dance. He previously directed and choreographed the Conservatory's productions of Sister Act, Guys and Dolls, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, Jr., Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr., SEUSSICAL and Little Shop of Horrors, and also choreographed all three years of the Theatre's productions of Through the Looking Glass. Notable roles include Radames in Aida, Mungojerrie in Cats, a swing and dance captain in the National Tour of Altar Boyz and Double J in Saturday Night Fever. Currently based in West Palm Beach, Nahas has performed throughout Europe, with TV credits that include Burn Notice and Guiding Light.

"I'm overjoyed to be directing and choreographing such a magnificent classic musical for local families," Nahas said. "The Wizard of Oz has so many imaginative elements and excellent opportunities for young performers to explore and stretch their wings, and the movie has been my all-time favorite for many years. This show is a joy for both the performers and the audience. You won't want to miss it!"

During camp, Nahas will guide students through the process of auditioning for a Broadway show, a rigorous rehearsal schedule and the opportunity to showcase all that they've learned onstage, complete with costumes, sets, professional lighting and a professional theater orchestra.

The musical features design elements from a host of industry professionals, including scenic and props design by the Theatre's properties master Casey Blanton, sound design by the Theatre's resident sound designer Marty Mets, lighting design by Michael Jon Burris, costume design by Jerry Sturdefant, music direction from Conservatory faculty member John Mercurio, dance instruction assistance from dance captain Keagan Cerny and stage management from Noelle Dibble.

"The Maltz Jupiter Theatre's Conservatory offers students the unique opportunity to perform in a musical at a regional theatre with full production values, just as a professional performer would do," Rowe said. "It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to experience what performing in a professional musical is like - and have fun while doing so."

Adaptation and support materials for the Young Performers' Edition were developed by iTheatrics under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald.

Showtimes for the Conservatory's upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz, Young Performers' Edition are 7:30 p.m on Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28. Tickets are $25 for adults; $20 for children. For tickets, call the Theatre's box office at (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.

Drawing nearly 600 students per year, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts is a premiere professional Conservatory that offers a challenging, innovative and quality theatre experience to students of all ages and abilities. In addition to a full schedule of classes, the Conservatory's hands-on workshops and master classes offer students an opportunity to learn first-hand from nationally known directors and Broadway performers, agents and local instructors. More than 25 percent of the Conservatory's students receive scholarships. For more information about the Conservatory including a full schedule of classes, visit www.jupitertheatre.org/education.

The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida's preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state's largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 8,300 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida's highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre's upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.

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