Local Sarah Lasko Stars in THE WIZARD OF OZ, Beginning Tonight at National Theatre

The North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ will play the National Theatre for two weeks only, tonight, May 3, through May 15, 2016.

Tickets for THE WIZARD OF OZ start at $48, plus applicable service charges, and are available at the National Theatre box office, online at TheNationalDC.com, or by calling (800) 514-3849. A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of best available tickets at $25 each -- cash only -- will be held at the theater two hours before each performance. Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling (202) 628-6161 ext. 227. For more information, call (202) 628-6161 or visit TheNationalDC.com.

Starring as Dorothy is local actor Sarah Lasko. A University of Maryland and Rockville High School graduate, Sarah most recently appeared at Imagination Stage, where she originated the role of Lisa in Double Trouble, the musical adaptation of The Parent Trap. She has also appeared locally at the Kennedy Center as a soloist in "An Evening with Barbara Cook" and in "NSO Christmas Pops with Marvin Hamlisch," as well as at Keegan Theatre inCabaret.

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 NETworks Presents 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.

This new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, the production contains the beloved Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all of 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 toured the US from September of 2013 through June of 2014.

THE WIZARD OF OZ will feature 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 will be provided byWilliam Berloni.

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.

For more information, visit TheNationalDC.com or www.wizardofozthemusical.com.

BIOS:

SARAH LASKO (Dorothy) National tour debut! Favorite credits include The Fantasticks (Luisa), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), She Loves Me (Amalia), and The Crucible (Abigail). UMCP graduate. Love and immense gratitude to JDC, Achilles, the Oz team, and my incredible family. www.sarahlasko.com

MARK A. HARMON (Professor Marvel/The Wizard) National Tours: Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright),Hairspray (Wilbur Turnblad). Regional: The Normal Heart (Felix Turner), Urinetown (Mr. McQueen), Art(Yvonne), Charles 1776 (Thompson), A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge), A Little Night Music (Fredrik Egerman), A Funny Thing ... Forum (Marcus Lycus).

SHANI HADJIAN (Miss Gulch/ Wicked Witch of the West) Ohio Native. National Tours: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Fancy Nancy. Off- Broadway: Fancy Nancy. Regional highlights: Spamalot, As You Like It, Les Miserables, Caroline, or Change. BFA - The Hartt School. Thank you Creatives, JDC, Planet H, and Emily. @shadjian www.shanihadjian.com

AARON FRIED (Zeke/Lion) Tours: Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Addams Family, Grease. New York:Sowa's Red Gravy. Regional: Ogunquit, North Shore, Gateway, Theatre By The Sea. Training: Ithaca College, BFA. Thanks to the creative team, Joe, my friends and family for their support!

JAY McGILL (Hickory/Tin Man) Regional: West Virginia Public Theatre (two seasons) Television: "Being Erica," "The Latest Buzz," "Wingin' It," "Super Why (Aladdin)." Proud graduate of CCM (University of Cincinnati). Thanks to Mom, Dad and The Price Group.

MORGAN REYNOLDS (Hunk/Scarecrow) is living his childhood dreams of following the yellow brick road! Performing theater worldwide and 7 years with The Walt Disney Company. Love to Mom, Dad, Jodi and Jeff! Like his selfies and follow his tour shenanigans on instagram @MorganWReynolds

RACHEL WOMBLE (Glinda) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut! Training: Rice University (BA), NYU (MM). Favorite credits: Forum (Philia), 1776 (Martha), and Carousel (Julie). Special thanks to the Oz team, my family, Sam, and YOU for supporting live theatre! Psalm 37:4. rachelwomble.com

The National Theatre opened in 1835 and is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the nation. The Washington Post calls it "one of the best and most historic venues in the city." Over the years, the National, located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., has hosted a multitude of memorable events, including the pre-Broadway presentations of the musicals Show Boat; Hello, Dolly!; and West Side Story. Many of the world's greatest performers have graced the National Theatre stage including Angela Lansbury, Robert Redford, George C. Scott, Will Rogers, Helen Hayes, James Earl Jones, Eartha Kitt, Sir Laurence Olivier, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Katherine Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Ian McKellen, Debbie Reynolds, and Audrey Hepburn. National Theatre Group oversees the programming for and management of the theater.

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