THE WIZARD OF OZ Kicks Off 2013 Music Circus Season Today

The timeless classic family musical The Wizard of Oz, based on the beloved 1939 film starring Judy Garland, kicks off the 2013 Music Circus season with an extended run at the Wells Fargo Pavilion from today, June 21 - 30. Filled with favorite songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "We're Off to See the Wizard," fans of all ages will once again be delighted as they follow Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion on an enchanting adventure along the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. The Music Circus production will be the Royal Shakespeare Company version of the musical, which was first presented at the Barbican Centre in London in 1988 and is based closely on the classic film.

This brand new production of The Wizard of Oz will be the most elaborate production of the Music Circus season. It will feature flight sequences with the Wicked Witch and flying monkeys, choreographed by one of Broadway's top flight choreographers, Paul Rubin, whose work on Broadway includes Wicked, Kiss Me, Kate, The Pirate Queen, Peter Pan and Fiddler on the Roof. The dog playing Toto will be trained by Bill Berloni, the leading trainer for Broadway shows. Casting will be announced in the near future, and will include local children playing Munchkins.

With book by L. Frank Baum and music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, The Wizard of Oz has long been a musical enjoyed by the entire family. Tickets start at $30, and special children's pricing is also available for all performances. This will be the ninth Music Circus production of the show, with the first one in 1952 and most recent in 2004.

Music Circus is produced under the leadership of California Musical Theatre Artistic DirectorGlenn Casale and Executive Producer Scott Klier. Casale will be directing this production of The Wizard of Oz. California Musical Theatre President and CEO is Richard Lewis.

Music Circus productions are presented at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street in Sacramento. The Wizard of Oz will run from June 21 - 30. In the first week, performances are Friday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In the second week of shows, evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets range from $30 - $74 and are available by phone at (916) 557-1999, online at tickets.com, or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office. For more information, visit SacramentoMusicCircus.com.