Children’s Theatre Company Presents The Wizard of Oz

The journey begins again as Children's Theatre Company enters the Land of Oz for the third time in its 46-year history. Beginning Fri., Nov. 11, join the Cowardly Lion, rusty old Tin Man, Scarecrow, Dorothy and Toto, too, as they travel through the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz.

"The Wizard of Oz has retained its power through generations. It is a story about a wild and wonderful journey through places of imagination, dreams and possibilities. It is a story about challenges and tested strength," says Peter Brosius, Artistic Director for CTC. "But, mainly, it is the story about a deep yearning for home and family, which has made it such a beloved favorite for families at the holidays."

Based on the original 1939 film, which was known for its vibrant use of Technicolor, this production of The Wizard of Oz showcases CTC's trademark scenic and costume design by Scott Bradley and Helen Huang, marking the Emerald City's gorgeous return to the stage, while Paul Whitaker provides lighting design.

Directing this gorgeous holiday spectacle is Peter Rothstein, founding Artistic Director of Minneapolis' Theatre Latté Da. Rothstein, who created All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 and has been named one of Minnesota's Artists of the Year by Star Tribune, Theater Artist of the Year by Lavender Magazine and Best Director in the Twin Cities by City Pages, returns to CTC, having most recently directed the critically acclaimed and patron favorite, Annie, last spring. In previous seasons, Rothstein also brought a charming production of A Year with Frog and Toad and a vibrant, energetic production of Disney's High School Musical to our stage. Rothstein's directing highlights also include Private Lives, Evita, Doubt and Passage of Dreams.

Partnering with Rothstein on this production is the 2007 Ivey Award-winning choreographer Michael Matthew Ferrell. Ferrell returns to CTC having choreographed fan-favorites Annie, Babe, The Sheep-Pig, Disney's High School Musical, A Year with Frog and Toad and Fashion 47. Ferrell also worked on CTC's Theatre Arts Training productions of The Who's Tommy and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and has worked with Theater Latté Da, The Minnesota Opera, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Sesame Street and Disney World.

Music Director Victor Zupanc, who is enjoying his 22nd season at CTC and whose composing credits include Cinderella, The Hobbit, The Monkey King and Mercy Watson to the Rescue!, will lead a full orchestra for this holiday production.

Reprising their roles as Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow are veteran CTC actors Reed Sigmund and Dean Holt, who together "charmed" audiences as Dorcas and Pearl Cramp in 2009-2010's holiday production of Cinderella and wreaked havoc on stage in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Holt is in his 18th season at CTC and has played in more than 60 CTC productions including Robin Hood, Huck Finn, Once Upon a Forest, Mississippi Panorama and Romeo & Juliet. Holt earned an Ivey Award for his role as Buster Keaton in Reeling, while Sigmund, his worthy comedic adversary, just completed his turn as Francine Poulet, in Mercy Watson to the Rescue! Sigmund is celebrating his 12th season as a CTC Company Member and has played in numerous productions including The Snow Queen, HONK! The Ugly Duckling, A Year with Frog and Toad, Annie, Sleeping Beauty and as Farmer Hogget in Babe, The Sheep-Pig. This is his third time playing the role of Cowardly Lion.

Joining them on the yellow brick road is Max Wojtanowicz, as the Tin Man. Max returns to CTC, having played in Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, which kicked off the theatre's 45th Anniversary Season, Cinderella, Mr. McGee and the Biting Flea, Romeo & Juliet and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

And, finally, Maeve Moynihan, who plays the role of Dorothy Gale in the 2011-2012 season returns to a production that is near and dear to her heart. Moynihan started her acting career as a member of the lullaby league munchkins in CTC's 2002-2003 production of The Wizard of Oz. Since then, she has created a vast list of credits. Among them are The Grapes of Wrath (The Minnesota Opera), A Christmas Carol, Violet and Little House on the Prairie (all at the Guthrie Theater) in the role of Carrie Ingalls, opposite Melissa Gilbert and Steve Blanchard, who played Beast in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Her other CTC credits include Esperanza Rising, Ramona Quimby, Korczak's Children and as the title character in the 2009-2010 holiday production of Cinderella.

The Wizard of Oz will run from November 11 through January 8, 2012. Tickets range from $19-$49 for adults and $19-$39 for children (17 & under), students and seniors and are available by calling (612) 874-0400 or by visiting www.childrenstheatre.org.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves more than 300,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest theater companies in the nation. CTC is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.

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