Photo Flash: SCERA Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ

Director Jeremy Showgren is borrowing heavily from steampunk, a recent fashion and entertainment movement that takes futuristic elements and places them in the past. He takes Dorothy's dream, where the magic of Oz unfolds, and provides glimpses of the future.

"At the time of the story, the industrial movement was under way, so I'm adding a lot of metal work, gears, clocks and trains," Showgren explains. "Think of Sherlock Holmes and his guns and the television series, "Wild, Wild West" with its gadgets. It's like placing the future in the past."

The inspiration for the set comes from an early 20^th century train station and much of it resembles steel that has been oxidized into the kind of green seen on the Statue of Liberty. And the witch's castle, for example, resembles the old factories from that period.

"As Dorothy's dream begins, we are in Kansas, but during the musical, elements of Kansas are removed so by the end of the show there are very few traces of home-and Dorothy realizes how much she misses it," Showgren adds.

"The Wizard of Oz" will open June 8 and run through June 23, with performances at 8 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 3 to 11, seniors 65 and older and students with identification. Patrons should bring a blanket or rent a chair for $1.00.  Reserved sections range from $12 to $14 for adults and $10 and $12 for children, seniors and students.

Performing major roles are Jessica Sundwall as Dorothy; Shoni Winkel as the wicked witch; Lauren Anderson as Glinda, the good witch; and Mark Gordon, Travis Hancock and Philip Varney as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. The legendary Wizard of Oz will be played by Marc Haddock and a dog named Abby is Toto. Other players will take multiple roles to portray munchkins, dancing trees, flying monkeys, poppies, crows and other characters.

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