Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Moonlight Stage's THE WIZARD OF OZ, Opening Tonight

It's time for a return to Oz as Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season, the first planned by new Artistic Director Steven Glaudini, continues with the family classic THE WIZARD OF OZ, with performances from tonight, July 24 to August 10. THE WIZARD OF OZ is presented by Moonlight for the first time as an adult production, with adult actors in the leading roles of the Royal Shakespeare Company version. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

Based on the novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, THE WIZARD OF OZ first became famous as a musical in the film version of 1939 starring Judy Garland, well known and beloved by every American family and all over the world. This version features a book by John Kane, music by Harold Arlen, and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, as well as additional background music by Herbert Stothart. Songs from the musical that have entered our collective consciousness include "We're Off to See the Wizard," "If I Only Had a Brain," "Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead," and the iconic smash hit "Over the Rainbow."

Continuing what has become a delightful Moonlight summer tradition, the role of Toto will be played by a local rescue dog, provided by Sunny Oasis Rescue and trained for her stage debut by Alex and Rob Kuty of San Diego Pet Training. Munchkin is a five-year-old female Cairn Terrier blend who was rescued off the streets of Riverside by the local Humane Society, where she was adopted. Unfortunately, her new owner later fell on hard times, and once again Munchkin was given up for adoption. At the end of this production, she will retire from showbiz, and be looking for a loving forever home.

Although a successful musical based on the novel was created in 1902 for Broadway, the most commonly revived version was created in 1945 for St. Louis Municipal Opera, using songs from the film. The version that will be presented by Moonlight Stage this summer was created by the Royal Shakespeare Company, which sought to more closely recreate the 1939 film on stage, adapting the film's screenplay and using the songs from the film for a new version at London's Barbican Centre in 1987--to great success. The RSC production was later produced at Madison Square Garden and then toured the United States. Moonlight Stage audiences will see this production's sets and costumes this summer.

Starring as Dorothy Gayle is Carlin Castellano, who was recently seen in Moonlight's Fiddler On the Roof. Her regional credits include A Chorus Line (Musical Theatre West); The Sound of Music (3D Theatricals); High School Musical 2, The Will Rogers Follies, Me And My Girl, and Footloose (Music Theatre of Wichita); and The Wizard of Oz (Starlight Musical Theatre). She has also performed in "Front & Center: A Tribute For Christopher Reeve" and "Front & Center: An Evening With Kenny Loggins" at the Honda Center, and "Luminaria" at the Disneyland Resort. Carlin will be graduating next year with a BA in Theatre Arts from California State University Fullerton.

Moonlight stalwart Randall Dodge returns as the Cowardly Lion/Zeke, following his recent appearance in SOUTH PACIFIC to open the season. Randall has been seen on the Moonlight stage in Sweeney Todd, Annie, Crazy For You, Annie Get Your Gun, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Sound of Music, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, The Pirates of Penzance, Beau Jest, and The Most Happy Fella. He has performed in Chicago and South Pacific at the Welk Resort Theatre; Thoroughly Modern Millie at Drury Lane Oak Brook; How The Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe; The Scarlet Pimpernel and Company with Starlight Musical Theatre; Children Of Eden, Cape Fear, and A Little Night Music with Cygnet Theatre; and The Fantasticks and No Way To Treat A Lady for North Coast Repertory Theatre.

Stephen Petrovich, starring as Scarecrow/Hunk, comes to Vista directly from the national tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory, and his regional work includes Gypsy (Tulsa), Rent (Angel), Annie, Hairspray, Hello, Dolly!, and A Chorus Line.

Rounding out the leads is Carson Twitchell as Tin Man/Hickory, in his Moonlight debut. Carson studied Music/Dance/Theatre at Brigham Young University and Theatre Studies at the University of Utah. His previous credits include Caleb in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in La Mirada, Don in A Chorus Line with 3D, Matt in The Fantasticks with Sundance Summer Theatre, Claude in HAIR, Jamie in The Last 5 Years, Marius in LES MISERABLES, Cain in Children of Eden, Tulsa in Gypsy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Pirates of Penzance, and Lippa's The Wild Party.

Also in the cast are Danette Holland (Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch), Laura Douciere (Auntie Em/Glinda), Jim Chovick (Professor Marvel/Wizard), and Ralph Johnson (Uncle Henry/Winkie Captain).

Directing and choreographing for THE WIZARD OF OZ is Roger Castellano, who works extensively as a director/choreographer of theatrical and special events, creating original shows, parades, and special events for many theme parks as well as regional theatre. Roger's recent theatrical credits include A Chorus Line for Musical Theatre West; the world premiere of The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns at the Laguna Playhouse; Legally Blonde and Xanadu for Music Theatre of Wichita; an all-Japanese production of Hello, Dolly! and Me and My Girl in Japan; and the world premiere of South Street at the Pasadena Playhouse. He has received theatrical awards including the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award Nominee for Best Choreographer (Jekyll & Hyde, Cabrillo Music Theatre; The Andrews Brothers, Musical Theatre West); L.A. Times Critic's Pick (Me & My Girl, Musical Theatre West); Dramalogue's Critic Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre-Best Choreography (A Little Night Music, The Center Theatre Group; La Cage Aux Folles and Oliver!, Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities); Inland Theatre League Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre-Best Director (Suessical, Performance Riverside); and the AriZoni Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre-Best Choreography (A Chorus Line [personal creation], The Phoenix Theatre). Roger is a frequent faculty member of several universities and colleges such as UCLA, UCI, CSUF, and Fullerton College.

Elan McMahan returns as musical director and conductor. The sets for THE WIZARD OF OZ were designed by Michael Anania, with costumes by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Paul A. Canaletti, Jr., and sound design by Christopher Luessmann. Make-up design is by Kathleen Kenna. Flying effects are provided by ZFX, Inc., and special effects by Hi-Tech FX.

Photo Credit: Ken Jacques