THE WIZARD OF OZ Closes 50th Anniversary Season At Theatre In The Park

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Theatre in the Park as it celebrates the final production of its 50th OUTDOOR season with the classic musical THE WIZARD OF OZ!

Come somewhere over the rainbow at THE WIZARD OF OZ opens on Friday, Aug. 2 for its seven-performance-run at TIP's beautiful amphitheater in Shawnee Mission Park. Performances continue through Sunday, Aug. 4. Join the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as the musical continues Wednesday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 10 with show time at 8:30 p.m. The TIP box office opens at 6:30 p.m. each evening with gates to the seating bowl open at 7 p.m. THE WIZARD OF OZ runs approximately two and half hours with one 15-minute intermission.

For a half-century, TIP has involved thousands of people from across the metro area in its productions, both on stage, behind the scenes and in the orchestra pit.

TIP's production of THE WIZARD OF OZ coincides with the 80th anniversary of the movie's release starring the legendary Judy Garland. Based on L. Frank Baum's beloved tale of a Kansas farm girl, the stage musical of THE WIZARD OF OZ debuted in 1903 and has been entertaining audiences ever since. Dorothy Gale is swept over the rainbow by a tornado leaving her mundane black-and-white life to the colorful land of OZ, a place very different from what's she's known. While the magical land intrigues her, Dorothy wishes to go home to Kansas. But the only way get back home is to see the Wizard, who lives in the Emerald City. Dorothy and her beloved dog Toto are joined by three new friends - the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, who each seek something they are missing. Together, they must thwart the Wicked Witch, who attempts to stop them at every turn. In the end, Dorothy returns to Kansas and learns that there really is no place like home.

Audiences will hum along with such memorable songs as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" and "We're Off to See the Wizard" - all written by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg.

TIP's THE WIZARD OF OZ is under the direction of Tiffany Schweigert with James Levy serving as both music director/conductor and LB as choreographer. The production is high energy, complete with flying witches and monkeys, merry Munchkins dancing around and a forest with trees and poppies that come to life! The production also coincides with "Expanding Oz," a special exhibit at the Johnson County Museum with one-of-a-kind memorabilia from the original books to stage productions and pop culture. The museum is located at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park.

Cast members in TIP productions come from across the metro area, including both children and adults, some performing at TIP for the first time while others are veterans. This cast includes several parent-child combinations: Brian Brewer (the Munchkin Mayor) and daughter Kaitlin (Children's Ensemble); Jennifer Coville-Schweigert (The Wicked Witch), director Schweigert and their daughter Amelia Coville-Schweigert (Munchkin Tot); and Nicole McCroskey (dancer) and her pup Blair, who stars as Toto. Tom Nelson (The Scarecrow) returns to TIP after a standout turn as Cinderella's Prince/The Wolf in last summer's production of INTO THE WOODS while David Thompson (Lion) reprises the role he played in 2009 on the same stage! Several cast members appeared in TIP productions earlier this summer including Don Leonard (The Wizard), who did a star turn as Mr. Coggins in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

Celebrating the importance of love, family and home, THE WIZARD OF OZ is the perfect production to close TIP's 50th OUTDOOR season!

TIP OUTDOOR ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 4-10) plus tax, and children three and under are free (but require a ticket for entrance). Reserve seats and parking are also available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.theatreinthepark.org or at the theatre box office on performance evenings.

But Wait! The fun doesn't end with THE WIZARD OF OZ! TIP will continue it's 50th season celebrations INDOORS and the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center with SWEET CHARITY (October 11-27) and FROZEN JR. (Dec. 6-15). Full details about TIP INDOOR performances are available at www.theatreinthepark.org

There's one film left as part of MOVIES IN THE PARK the outdoor amphitheater with the showing of A DOG'S WAY HOME (PG) on Monday, Aug. 5. ALL movie tickets are only $1! Gates open at 7:30 p.m. with films starting at 8:30-8:45 p.m., depending on sunset.

Theatre in the Park is an award-winning program of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District and is the largest outdoor community theater in the country. Program sponsors are Advent Health and First National Bank.

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