THE WIZARD OF OZ Returns to Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre

A summer tradition returns to Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre when the family musical, "The Wizard of Oz" takes the stage. Set to run for three weekends, the beloved musical will begin on Friday, August 4 and continue through Sunday, August 20, 2017. Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Based on the popular children's book by L. Frank Baum and made famous by the MGM film starring Judy Garland, "The Wizard of Oz" is a musical adventure centered on Dorothy Gale, a young girl unhappy with her drab existence on her aunt and uncle's dusty Kansas farm. Dorothy yearns to travel "over the rainbow" to a different world, and she gets her wish when a tornado whisks her and her little dog, Toto, to the land of Oz. Having offended the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy is protected from the old crone's wrath by the Ruby Slippers that she wears. In order for Dorothy to get back to Kansas, Glinda the Good Witch of the North, suggests that she see the all powerful Wizard who lives in the Emerald City. As Dorothy and Toto head down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, along the way, they befriend a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion.

This year, the role of Dorothy will be shared by two young actresses, TaylorRae Carter of Lambertville, N.J. and Makenna Stergion of Yardley, Pa. Both have studied at the Downtown Performing Arts Center for years and performed at the Open Air Theatre over the past seven seasons. Now each entering their senior year of high school, playing the role of Dorothy is a dream come true since both girls first performed in previous Open Air productions of "The Wizard of Oz." Stergion appeared as a Munchkin in 2010 and Carter first played an Ozzian in the 2012 production.

The cast includes the return of David McCloughan as the Cowardly Lion, Joan Hoffman as the Wicked Witch of the West and David Whiteman as Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz.

The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz" will be performed on Friday, August 4, Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m. The show returns for two more weekends of performances on August 11, 12, and 13 and August 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 pm. Tickets to shows at the Open Air Theatre can be purchased at the Box Office one half hour prior to any performance. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children (ages 12 and under) and $12 for seniors (ages 65 and older.) Tickets can always be purchased at the Open Air Theatre Box Office a half-hour prior to the performance. Group discounts are available.

For directions and more, visit the website at www.downtownpac.com. The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre is located inside Washington Crossing State Park at 455 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road in Titusville, N.J. Box Office phone is (267) 885-9857.

Photo caption: TaylorRae Carter (in blue) and Makenna Stergion (in green) will share the role of Dorothy for the three weekend run of "The Wizard of Oz" at the Open Air Theatre.
Photo by JorDan Brennan

"SNOW WHITE" SET AS NEXT SHOW IN OPEN AIR CHILDREN SERIES

"Snow White" is set as the next show in the Open Air Theatre's summer children series beginning August 4 and continuing throughAugust 13. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

With music and lyrics by Open Air co-artistic director, Louis Palena, audiences will meet Snow White, her sister Rose Red, a mysterious gypsy woman, seven cute but protective dwarfs, a Wicked Queen and of course a Prince. Palena has taken the story loved by generations of readers and created a new theatrical work that promises to delight audiences of any age. This season, the Open Air children's series featured Palena's productions of "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Rapunzel."

The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre production of "Snow White" will be performed on Friday August 4, and Saturday, August 5 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, August 6 at 4 p.m. A second weekend of performances is set for August 11, 12 and 13. Tickets are $5 for children or adults and can always be purchased at the Open Air Theatre Box Office prior to the performance.

For directions and more, visit the website at www.downtownpac.com The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre is located inside Washington Crossing State Park at 455 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road in Titusville, New Jersey. Box Office phone is (267) 885-9857.