Wild Swan Theater Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ

To top off its 38th season, Wild Swan Theater will present an original musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's much loved fantasy, The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy as she travels the yellow brick road to the fabled Emerald City with her new friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. Talented playwright Jeff Duncan, known throughout the region for both his adult and children's plays, was more than up to the challenge of creating this special production just for Wild Swan. Brian E. Buckner has written whimsical and lively music to go with the 13 original songs created especially for this production.

The production will run May 2 - May 6 with three daytime performances for school groups and two week-end performances for the public. All performances take place in Towsley Auditorium located in the Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.

Wild Swan has assembled a stellar cast that includes Meghan VanArsdalen, last seen by Wild Swan audiences as Jo in Little Women, as Dorothy. She is accompanied by Jeremy Salvatori as the Scarecrow, Jeff Miller as the Tin Woodman, and Sandy Ryder as the Lion as she travels to Oz. The Good Witch will be portrayed by Kristen Carter, and Megan Wesner will be the Wizard of Oz, among other roles. Long-time Wild Swan favorite Michelle Trame Lanzi will be the Wicked Witch.

Costumers Suzanne Young and Patty Branham have created a host of exciting costume pieces to help the cast transform themselves from one creature to another. Beth Sandmaier has designed the sets that bring Dorothy from Kansas to the Land of Oz and back again.

Backstage touch tours and audio-description are available for blind theater patrons. These services are free but must be reserved by calling (734) 995-0530.

Wild Swan Theater is dedicated to producing professional theater for families of the highest artistic quality and to making that theater accessible to all families, including low income and disabled patrons, through low ticket prices and innovative outreach programs. For more information about the company, its current season, touring programs and theater camps, visit the Wild Swan website at www.wildswantheater.org. For interviews, contact Michelle Trame Lanzi at (734) 995-0530.