Follow the Yellow Brick Road! WIZARD OF OZ Skips Into Jersey City

Beginning February 12, families can follow the Yellow Brick Road in Jersey City.

Having presented several classic Old World fairy tales since opening its Jersey City stage in 2014, Puppetworks now brings an American Children's literature classic to the puppet theater at Merseles Studios. Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC), through its children's programming division - JCTC-KIDS - is off to see the Wizard for its 2017 Winter/Spring season when Puppetworks present an imaginative and unforgettable retelling of the Wizard of Oz.

Like the 1939 golden age of Hollywood movie everyone knows, the Puppetworks version is based on the original 1900 Frank Baum novel. Besides other notable versions of this timeless tale - such as The Wiz, the 1978 Motown movie and Wicked, the long running Broadway musical - the original Wizard of Oz also launched a series by Baum of "Oz" books that have been translated into dozens of languages and enjoyed by generations of readers.

"The Wizard of Oz has always fascinated me, even as a kid," said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC). "I read many of the Oz books growing up, and even saw theatre productions, before I even saw the famous movie. Dorothy goes on a quest to find the Wizard and she discovers the value of her friendship with the cowardly Lion, Straw Man and Tin Man and they all learn to rely on their own inner strengths. This is children's theatre that teaches kindness, telling a story through exploration and self-growth, where important life lessons are realized."

According to Mike Leach, Executive Director of Puppetworks, the Wizard of Oz has not only been one of the most popular PuppetWorks Productions, it is one of the few original American titles in that award winning company's repertoire.

"Many scholars feel it is the first authentically American fairy tale, which may be an arguable point, but it is clearly one of our most long lasting. It is really what used to be called a Tall-Tale, but Baum turned original folklore into children's literature that has lasted for more than a century and enjoyed by cultures across the globe. Everyone knows the story from the great Judy Garland movie, so they are familiar with the characters, but when children see that story come alive with the marionettes, they truly are entranced by Dorothy's mythical journey."

Those familiar characters include Dorothy and her dog, Toto and the many memorable citizens of Oz: Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow, Munchkin, Glenda who is the Good Witch and her adversary the Wicked Witch of the West, complete with her nefarious flying monkey, and of course, the wish-granting Wizard, who is not what he first seems. Special "Marionette" effects include a tornado that transports the story's heroine from her Prairie home over the rainbow to the surreal OZ, a monkey that flies and a melting witch, and even a hot air balloon ride.

Nicolas Coppola, Artistic Director of Puppetworks, who was honored by The Puppeteers of America with its 2011 President's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Art of Puppetry, founded Puppetworks in 1980. This Brooklyn-based puppetry theater company remains committed to preserving the tradition of live-theater presentations through the art of Marionettes. The Wizard of Oz script used by Puppetworks dates back to 1946 and was actually the first "American" title performed by the Suzari company - the predecessor to Puppetworks - where Coppola apprenticed in the 1950s.

Coppola revised and updated the script in 1963 and this production actually predates the founding of Puppetworks. The soundtrack also has a unique pedigree. The music was composed by Bruce Haack, an electronic music pioneer (he died in 1988), famous for - among other accomplishments - a series of children's records - Dance, Sing, & Listen - which were best selling albums in the 1960s and are still appreciated by aficionados for Haack's trademark mash-up of genres - using country, pop and classical melodies as played by an eclectic combination of instruments, such as mixing synthesizers and banjo. The Puppetworks Wizard of Oz features an uncanny sing-along score, steeped in a distinctly Americana sound. The actual soundtrack includes some of the original music not just composed- but performed by - Haack at the height of his powers.

"Children really respond to the authentic quality of our Wizard of Oz, they have never seen the story told like this, live on stage," said Leach. "Our audiences are growing in Jersey City and we at Puppetworks can't wait to bring one our most-loved shows to them."

The Wizard of Oz runs February 12th to May 28th. Seating is limited and Puppetworks shows often sell out. is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, available online. To purchase tickets and to find out about ticket available as well as other information, visit jctcenter.org.

JCTC-KIDS is presenting The Wizard of Oz by Puppetworks every Sunday afternoon at Merseles Studios, 1:00pm (advance tickets/online sales: $9 for children; $10 for adults. At the door: $11 and $12; $9 each for groups of 20 or more). The Wizard of Oz by Puppetworks runs February 12th to May 28th. Group & private parties bookings and additional weekday school discounts are also available. To purchase online tickets, visit jctcenter.org. Jersey City Theater Center is located at Merseles Studios, 339 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Call (201) 795-5386 for more information.

Jersey City Theater Center, Inc. (JCTC) manages Merseles Studio and the adjacent White Eagle Hall, soon to be opened. JCTC is a nonprofit, 501c3 arts organization committed to presenting innovative and progressive performing & visual arts as well as educational arts programs that embrace the multicultural identity and preserves the rich history of Jersey City, bringing its community closer together and enhancing its quality of life.

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