Children's Theatre Company Extends THE WIZARD OF OZ

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present the extraordinary classic musical, The Wizard of Oz, November 3, 2015 to January 10, 2016 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Extended by one week due to popular demand, audiences can expect all the splendor, magic, and excitement of the classic story beautifully captured in this production starring CTC Acting Company member Traci Allen Shannon as Dorothy.

The cast also includes Acting Company members Gerald Drake (Professor Marvel/The Wizard), Dean Holt (Hunk/Scarecrow), and Reed Sigmund (Zeke/Cowardly Lion) reprising their roles from previous productions. Bradley Greenwald is also back as Hickory/Tin Man, as well as Janet Hanson as Auntie Em/Glinda. New to the production are Dan Hopman as Uncle Henry and Mary Fox as Miss Almira Gultch/Wicked Witch.

Traci Allen Shannon remembers seeing the film version of this story as a child and says it played a major part in her decision to become a performer. She is ecstatic to be cast in this iconic role. "I'm thrilled to be playing Dorothy and I'm thrilled to do it for our very special audience of young people," said Shannon. "I was in high school before I saw a show with an African-American in a lead role. There's something amazing that happens when you see someone who looks like you doing something great. It inspires you. It changes the way you see yourself because if they can do it, so can you. It is truly an honor to be cast in this role."

CTC is one of the few regional theatres to employ a full-time resident Acting Company. Traci became the fifth company member in the 2013-2014 season and played the title role in Cinderella during her first season. Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius is eager to see her embody this revered character.

"It's such a gift to have an acting company of people who invest themselves so passionately in the work and the audience," says Brosius. "Traci's vulnerability, positive spirit, dignity of character, and tenderness make her an absolutely brilliant performer. I can't wait to see her in this role."

When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog Toto seek shelter in the family home, only to be carried away by the winds. When the house settles, Dorothy finds herself in a mysterious world called Oz. She is told to follow the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City to meet the Wizard for help. On the way, she meets a Scarecrow longing for a brain, a Tin Man looking for a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. Together they set forth to meet the wizard, encountering the Wicked Witch and her cronies along the way, including flying monkeys. Audiences can sing along to some of the most memorable songs of all time while they take in the spellbinding theatrical staging of this beloved story, including a live dog as Toto, wicked witches that vanish in plumes of smoke, and characters who fly high above the stage.

Featuring choreography by celebrated Twin Cities choreographer and director, Joe Chvala, founder of the Flying Foot Forum percussive dance company. Chvala's choreography credits include CTC's Peter Pan the Musical and The Music Man (Guthrie Theater). His directing credits include A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theater) and Cyrano (Park Square Theatre). Music Director Andrew Cooke, whose credits include The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, and more (Guthrie Theater), Fiddler on the Roof, Bye Bye Birdie, Hairspray, and more (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres), brings his singular talent to this larger-than-life show. The creative team also includes scenic design by Scott Bradley, costume design by Helen Q. Huang, lighting design by Paul Hackenmueller, and sound design by Sean Healey.

The Wizard of Oz runs November 3, 2015 - January 10, 2016 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Recommended for all ages. For more information, visit childrenstheatre.org or call the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. Media Partners myTalk 107.1 KTSP-TV. Flying effects by ZFX. Proudly sponsored by Best Buy.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) celebrates 50 years of creating extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire young people and their communities. CTC is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003) and has welcomed more than 11 million people to performances and education programs over the last five decades. As one of the 20 largest theatre companies in the nation, CTC has created over 200 new works, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences.

CTC educational programs reach tens of thousands of young people of all ages, ranging from early learners to young adults. CTC's Theatre Arts Training (TAT) program is designed to mold the next generation of theatre professionals in a guided, dynamic, studio-style program that is tailored to the needs of each individual student.

Steeped in our nationally-recognized Neighborhood Bridges philosophy, the CTC Community Engagement team creates models that arts organizations, schools and educators utilize to animate teaching and learning and develop critical thinking through creative writing, storytelling and theatre arts. Our three core programs include Neighborhood Bridges (currently serving grades 2-8), Building Bridges (serving Kindergartners) and Early Bridges (serving ages 3- 5). Our programming exists to promote accessibility and to deepen engagement with teachers and students locally and nation-wide.