THE WIZARD OF OZ Opens at Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre Tonight

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 two weekends, the beloved musical will open tonight, July 5 and continue through Sunday, July 14, 2013. Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm.

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 Tinman, and a Cowardly Lion.

The cast of The Wizard of Oz includes several local performers. Caity McNeil portrays Dorothy and comes from Holland, PA. John DiFernando is the Scarecrow and hails from Cheltenham, PA. Ben Natan from New Hope, PA plays the Tinman. Lambertville, NJ native David McCloughan is the Cowardly Lion, a role he first played during last season's production of The Wizard of Oz.

The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz will be performed tonight, July 5, Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 at 7:30 pm. Performances resume for a second weekend on Friday, July 12, Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children (ages 12 and under). Group discounts are available to groups of 12 persons or more. Tickets can always be purchased at the Open Air Theatre Box Office prior to the performance. 10-Show Ticket Packages also available for purchase at the Box Office as well.

For complete information about the 2013 Summer Season of mainstage shows and children's theatre productions, directions and more, visit the website at www.downtownpac.com. The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre is located inside Washington Crossing State Park at 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road in Titusville, New Jersey. Box Office phone is (267) 885-9857.

Pictured: Ben Natan as Tinman, John DiFernando as Scarecrow, Caity McNeil as Dorothy and David McCloughan as Cowardly Lion.

Don't Miss a New Jersey News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...