The Wizard of Oz Tour 2013 - Articles Page 14

The Hollywood Pantages announced a change to its 2013-2014 Broadway Series lineup following the news that the national tour of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has been postponed for a subsequent season.

The Hollywood Arts Council (HAC) presents its FREE 28th Annual Children's Festival of the Arts on Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 12-Noon to 4:30 p.m. at Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, CA. The Festival is partially funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Tickets for CHICAGO, EVITA and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Fox Theatre will go on sale Saturday, August 10 at 10am online at MetroTix.com, by phone at 314-534-1111 and in person at the Fox Theatre Box office. Ticket prices for EVITA start at $35; ticket prices for CHICAGO andBEAUTY AND THE BEAST start at $30. All three shows are part of the Fox Theatre's 2013-2014 U.S. Bank Broadway series. EVITA is the first production in the six-show season ticket package; CHICAGO and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST are off-series specials.

We're off to see the Wizard! Director Lydia Milman Schmidt of Fox Valley Repertory and the Youth Ensemble take you to a place Somewhere Over the Rainbowwhen you Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Pheasant Run Mainstage from today, July 20-28, 2013.

Seasoned thespians Lynn Sherman ('The Lynn Sherman Show,' 'Rent'), Robie Zialcita ('Peter Pan,' 'Sweeney Todd') and Joel Trinidad ('Defending the Caveman,' 'The Graduate') lead the cast of theater company Trumpets' new original musical, 'The Bluebird of Happiness,' based on Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck's 1908 play 'The Blue Bird.'

I recently caught up with Joe Bishara, who while currently performing as a featured actor in the sell-out production of CATCO's "Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits: Vol. 1" down at the Riffe Center, is also the Associate Producing Director of CATCO. Bishara manages the day-to-day operations of the Columbus Performing Arts Center (CPAC) at 548 Franklin Ave as well, which is home to amongst many other projects, the ever-expanding CATCO Is Kids program. There is still some miscommunication out there as to what Catco Is Kids is about and what you offer. Can you clear that up for anyone who may still be confused, please? "In early 2010, CATCO merged with Steven C. Anderson's children's theatre group, The Phoenix Theatre for Children, creating our current evolution entitled CATCO is Kids. This new moniker allows us to bundle ourselves into a single brand. It's still the same imaginative and captivating programming." As of this Fall, the CATCO IS Kids school-year, weekend children's theater education class offerings are changing this year as well, correct? "Yes. I am really excited about that! We had begun the Saturday morning Musical Theater School 4 years ago, and what we noticed, after this 4th year, was that it was time for a change. We are still going to be teaching the same core principles in acting, singing, and dancing, but it's going to culminate in a weekend of performances, 3 times a year, of an actual junior version of a musical. Starting this fall, we'll have 9 weeks of camp (from 9am-12pm on Saturdays), with the conclusion being a weekend of performances that 9th week (2:30 matinees on Saturdays and Sundays), open to the general public, for the ticket charge of $5 per ticket." (For additional information of Saturday Morning school-year classes, go to: http://www.catco.org/www/dcms/files/pdf/catcokids1314class.pdf ) Less than a trip to a movie! "Very reasonably priced. In the Fall, we're going to start with "Aladdin, Jr.". In the Winter, the session will work the same way, but it will be the musical, "Snoopy", and then, in the Spring, it will be the junior version of "Suessical". For 9 weeks of instruction each session, the fee is $200 (27 hours of instruction)." This is not the extent of the Catco Is Kids season, however. You also have a full season of shows for children. "We do. We are actually starting our first show of the Catco Is Kids 2013-14 season as a camp- an all kids camp- that culminates in a weekend of performances of a show called "The Rude Mechanicals", which is adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", written specifically for kids by Ed Graczyk. Our next show will be "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", a 3 person adaptation including the perspective of Mark Twain as a character. After that, we will be launching the Ohio premiere of a new adaptation of "The Cat In the Hat". We are really excited about that! There will be 2 children's roles available in that show, and we will also be offering a week-long audition prep class for any local children who would like to get ready for that audition. The next show on the books is a World Premiere of Steven C. Anderson's (who has written over 50 shows) new play called "The Wolf Tales", which involves all of the fairytales that contain a wolf told from the wolf's perspective." Educators will love that one, as it's much like the children's book favorite entitled, "The True Story of The Three Little Pigs"… "Yes, and then last, but not least, our 2013-14 season for kids concludes with an all-kids production that is an adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz", called "Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz", but it's an audience participation version. So, when Dorothy first meets the scarecrow, for instance, the kids are going to be able to come up and help Scarecrow put his stuffing back in on stage." Catco is Kids is known for its large degree of audience participation, which the entire audience, especially the younger folks, adore. "It's loads of fun. Our Education director, Heather Burley, will be directing that production. She has taught in many of our school-year classes and our at-risk school based program as well, but this will be her directorial debut." There are all sorts of "firsts" going on at Catco Is Kids this year! "We're really offering 8 productions a season now, if you include the Saturday morning productions, which will be great shows, in addition to the traditional season. Our actual season can still be viewed as individual show tickets, or purchased as a 5-show package. For that 5 show package, 1 adult and 1 child can come see every one of those 5 shows for under $100 total. We try to keep our pricing reasonable, so that it can be accessible to families." There are half-price preview shows of "Tom Sawyer", "The Cat In the Hat", and "The Wolf Tales' available, and you also offer school matinee performances as well. (Interested parties should visit: http://www.catco.org/education/school-matinee-performances for additionl information on dates/times/pricing). I love that there is an opportunity for a budding performer of any experience level to learn and grow here at Catco Is Kids. "That's truly what we want to have here. It's really, really important for us to be offering those types of opportunities for all children. Whether or not a child chooses to pursue theater as their profession moving forward, what we are trying to do is instill confidence in them that can transcend the stage. One of our old taglines from our Phoenix days was, "Light the spark of imagination.", and it still rings true today in everything that we do. That's what we aim to do, whether it's in a child seeing the show, a parent, or a future theater performer. We're very proud of the program." The CATCO Is Kids ticket price may be one of the best deals in the city for quality, family-friendly live theater these days, so be sure to check out the Catco Is Kids 2013-14 season, as well as the offerings available for children of all ages in its theater education program by going to : http://catco.org/catco-is-kids/

Fresh off the heels with rave reviews for his conducting debut with the Pasadena POPS, Michael Feinstein returns to lead the orchestra in a performance celebrating the legendary films of MGM. Michael Feinstein's MGM Movie Classics tonight, July 13 features rare and stunning arrangements from the golden age of the silver screen, and the orchestra will be joined by guest vocalists Ron Raines, Christine Ebersole, the cast of Hollywood Revisited, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Tap Ensemble.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced the upcoming lineup- including newly added performers Jack Jones, Missi Pyle and and Ariana Savalas - at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko for the months of July, August, and September.

The centerpiece of Brooklyn Center's 2013-2014 family programming will be theTarget Storybook Series of performances based on classic and contemporary children's literature, with titles including The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; A Brown Bear, a Moon, and a Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle; andThe Wizard of Oz. The series aims to encourage the development of strong reading skills at home in children ages four to eight. Online resources such as literacy-based activity sheets and Parents' Guides will give parents the opportunity to engage their children prior to attending the performances, and then again after seeing each show.

The final 6 weeks of the Canadian production of THE WIZARD OF OZ are counting down. THE WIZARD OF OZ will play its final performance in Toronto on Sunday August 18 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. THE WIZARD OF OZ leaves Toronto to embark on an extensive North American Tour that kicks off on September 10, 2013 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV. The North American tour includes engagements in key markets including: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, St. Paul, Houston and Philadelphia.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College announces its 59th season of music, dance, theater, and family programming reflecting the multicultural diversity of Brooklyn. The outstanding line-up features performances from Jamaica, Russia, Canada, and China, as well as the United States, and includes both Brooklyn premieres and returning favorites.

The classic movie musical THE WIZARD OF OZ comes to life on the stage at Derby Dinner Playhouse, now through August 18, 2013.

The Red Door Theatre Company presents The Wizard of Oz & The Mist of Menga, an epic tale of power, corruption, hope, destiny, and forgiveness set in a rainbow-colored-world where animals speak and scarecrows walk.

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 begin today, July 5 and continue through Sunday, July 14, 2013. Performances are Today, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm.

The Omaha Community Playhouse honored its top volunteers at the annual Awards Night ceremony held Monday evening. Awards Night is a tribute to the thousands of volunteers who contribute their time and talents to OCP. Awards are given for outstanding service in front-of-house areas; in backstage areas involving costuming and technical assistance; and for excellence in performing.

Follow the yellow brick road to the award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) for THE WIZARD OF OZ, beginning Tuesday, July 16 and now playing through Sunday, August 4. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

From the WIZARD OF OZ/WICKED opening number right through the encores, the gorgeously refurbished Hamer Hall resounded with appreciation for Idina Menzel in this, her first Melbourne show, and the last concert of her first ever Australian tour.

Marking the 75th anniversary of THE WIZARD OF OZ, Warner Bros. has produced a 3D remastered version of the film. Kicking off the celebration, The Wizard of Oz 3D will be presented in the immersive Imax 3D format and return to the big screen for an exclusive one-week engagement in Imax theatres across North America beginning September 20, 2013. Click below to watch the trailer!

All summer and into the fall, Fox Valley Repertory brings nostalgic musicals and relatable comedies to the Pheasant Run Mainstage. The summer includes: the rocking '60s musical, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, FVR Youth Ensembles journey across the famous yellow brick road, The Wizard Of Oz, the insightful and comical play, Defending the Caveman, Mike Toomey's multimedia comedic recollection of television in TV & Me, Chicago's finest improv troupe performing The Best of The Second City, and a classic tribute to the legendary composer Cole Porter, Let's Misbehave , at Pheasant Run Resort (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; 630-584-6342).

Whether you are in the heart of Philly, a great Philly suburb OR crossing the bridge into South Jersey, there is a wonderful theater waiting to welcome you with a line up of crowd pleasing shows this season. Come on over to Philly for some of Broadway's best!

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 begin on Friday, July 5 and continue through Sunday, July 14, 2013. Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm.

Following an intense six week voting period, it has been announced that Ashley Day has won West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award 2013 for understudying the role of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon.

Fresh off the heels with rave reviews for his conducting debut with the Pasadena POPS, Michael Feinstein returns to lead the orchestra in a performance celebrating the legendary films of MGM. Michael Feinstein's MGM Movie Classics on Saturday, July 13 features rare and stunning arrangements from the golden age of the silver screen, and the orchestra will be joined by guest vocalists Ron Raines, Christine Ebersole, the cast of Hollywood Revisited, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Tap Ensemble.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced the upcoming lineup- including newly added performers Jack Jones, Missi Pyle and and Ariana Savalas - at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko for the months of July, August, and September.

We're off to see the Wizard! Director Lydia Milman Schmidt of Fox Valley Repertory and the Youth Ensemble take you to a place Somewhere Over the Rainbowwhen you Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Pheasant Run Mainstage from July 20-28, 2013.