Flat Rock Playhouse to Premiere CHASING RAINBOWS THE ROAD TO OZ Later This Year

Flat Rock Playhouse announced today that they have been chosen by the new musical Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz to be the Developmental House for its world premiere. Conceived and produced by New York City based producer Tina Marie Casamento Libby, Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz is a Broadway bound musical that chronicles the life of a young Judy Garland and explores the extraordinary journey to stardom that culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard of Oz. Developed at Goodspeed Musicals Johnny Mercer Colony in Connecticut, a NYC table read and a thirteen day developmental workshop at Belmont University in Nashville soon followed. A very successful AEA Staged Reading of this musical was also produced at New World Stages in New York City in September 2014. After the Flat Rock Playhouse production, Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz will then transfer to another leading regional theatre for a pre-Broadway try out before its New York City bow.

Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz will feature such songs as "Over the Rainbow," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and "Broadway Rhythm" which have been reconceived by pianist/composer/arranger David Libby in a revelatory, contemporary sound. In addition to signature Garland songs, Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz incorporates songs from the MGM era culled from the Sony Feist/Robbins Catalog.

"Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz is a family friendly musical with an inspiring message of hope and optimism," says Lisa K. Bryant, Artistic Director for Flat Rock Playhouse. "To be the first venue to premiere Chasing Rainbows is a fantastic opportunity for Flat Rock Playhouse - great exposure for the State Theatre of North Carolina to a wide audience of highly respected and influential industry leaders."

Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz is written by Marc Acito (Allegiance, Room With a View) and will be directed by Jeff Whiting. Long time associate to Broadway director/choreographer, Susan Stroman, Whiting's credits include direction/choreography for the national tours of Scottsboro Boys and Young Frankenstein as well as the international tours of Rent, Hairspray and The Color Purple. As an associate, Whiting worked on the Broadway productions of Scottsboro Boys, Hair, Young Frankenstein and Wicked and the West End production of Jersey Boys.

Whiting will be using twenty local youth in this production to act along side professional actors brought in from New York. The production team will also be utilizing local youth who wish to learn more about the creative process as assistants to the production staff. Auditions and more information will be announced at a later date.

Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz will run from November 27th through December 19th, replacing Oliver! in the 2015 Season line up. Patrons who have already purchased tickets to Oliver! will be called by the Box Office directly and given the opportunity to transfer the seats they have already purchased to Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.

Says Bryant, "We opened our 2015 season with a sold out run of Wizard of Oz. Bookending it with the early life of the beloved icon Judy Garland, as well as working in concert with the wonderful creative team of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, was simply too good to resist. We trust the community will agree."

Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz will run November 27th through December 19th on the Flat Rock Playhouse Clyde and Nina Allen Mainstage. Performances Wednesday through Friday evening at 8 PM, matinees Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Saturday at 2 PM. Tickets are $15 - 40 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.