Theatre Arlington Presents THE MAGICAL CITY OF OZ

Lion and tigers and bears, oh my! Main Street in Arlington is now paved with yellow bricks as kids and adults alike are following it to enjoy Theatre Arlington's production of The Magical City of Oz. This fun and whimsical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, based on L. Frank Baum's book, was first written and staged by Steven D. Morris and Don Powers in 1984. At that time Morris was the theater's first Children's Theatre Director and was frustrated by the lack of entertaining scripts for children, so he set out to create his own with his friend, Don Powers, who composed all the new music. This charming retelling has all of the familiar, loveable characters portrayed by adult actors, but throws in a few new ones along the way, as they attempt to find their way to the mysterious and magical city of Oz. What differs a bit in this version is the participation by the children in the audience! No matter the version or the year, this timeless message still rings true - no matter how we far we travel there is simply no place like home.

Director Steven D. Morris reunites several cast members from another popular Wizard of Oz adaptation first staged at Theatre Arlington in 2007. That year 11 year-old Donovan Marie Lawson portrayed Dorothy along with Ozians, Austin Ray Beck and Tevin Cates. Lawson reprises her dream role in this heartwarming tale and this time around Austin Ray Beck will portray the Scarecrow and Tevin Cates will portray the Tin Man. Joining them is the Cowardly Lion played by Daniel Hernandez, Aunt Em played by Christine Chambers, Glinda played by Emily-Kate Ivey, the Wicked Witch played by Kristal Seid and the great Oz played by Michael Black. Rounding out the cast are Jan Roeton (Scrubwoman), Nicole Kimbrell (Gategirl), Brendan McMahon (Guard), Ujjaval Sandana (Winged Monkey), Larry Macklin (Winged Monkey/Tornado), Callie Cunningham (Winged Monkey/ Tornado), Jillian Bradford (Winged Monkey/Tornado) and Marisa Duran (Winged Monkey/Tornado).

LIVE piano music is provided by the original composer and the show's Music Director, Don Powers. Production team members also include Taylor Hampton (Stage Manager), Bryan Stevenson (Lighting and Set Designer), Cathy Pritchett (Properties Designer), Angie Glover (Scenic Artist) and Janice Pennington (Costume Designer).

Photography by Eric Younkin