THE Wizard of Oz is preparing to extend its yellow brick road to Melbourne after a national tour, with opening night less than a month away.
From May 12, Toto won’t be in Kansas anymore, he, along with all of the other beloved characters from the Frank L Baum book and 1939 film, will be at the Regent Theatre in the latest adaptation of the timeless tale.
The new production, which premiered on West End in 2013, features five new songs by Andew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and stars Australian musical theatre icon Anthony Warlow as the titular Wizard of Oz, Lucy Durack and Jemma Rix reprising their roles of Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West from hit musical Wicked and rising star Samantha Dodemaide, who grew up in Wantirna in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and beat out more than 400 Dorothys to claim the lead role.
READ MORE ABOUT THE WIZARD OF OZ IN MELBOURNE BELOW
Warlow says he is excited for Melbourne audiences to finally make the journey over the rainbow.
“People have seen The Wizard of Oz, but they haven’t seen this in Australia yet,” Warlow says.
“And in this world where everything is about smart phones and Snapchat, it’s nice to just have a simple story told with great talent, good music and some lovely stage effects.”
Though Warlow says the real magic of the show, is in its enduring message.
“The theme of it, that we are enough, and we’ve got what we need within us, is a wonderful message for the youth of today,” he says.
The Wizard of Oz from 12 May at the Regent Theatre. Tickets from $69.90 ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
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