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Don't Miss "The Wizard of Oz" at The Fox Theatre

Now Playing, Through Sunday, June 26th - DISCOUNT OFFER!

By Michelle Sisco, Publisher - Smyrna Vinings Marietta & Buckhead Midtown Brookhaven Macaroni Kid June 23, 2016
The wonderful Wizard of Oz! Here's a show for the whole family - get your tickets now, because you don't want to miss it. I took my eight-year-old son to the Fox on Tuesday for Opening Night, and I couldn't keep the smile off of my own face (well, except for when those scary flying monkeys came on stage). Jack was entranced as well, and his big belly laughs were my sign that he was thoroughly enjoying the production.



I've seen The Wizard of Oz so many times on TV, and even on the big screen, that I forgot it was never really a musical theatre production (unless you count The Wiz). At least not until this version, which features all the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie, plus new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The newest The Wizard of Oz adaptation had its world premiere in London in March of 2011. After a successful West End run, the production had its North American premiere in Toronto in December of 2012, and then embarked on a U.S. tour beginning in September of 2013.
   
Join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the whole family. (Note: there are definitely some scary moments, and the show can be loud, so very young children might be frightened).

 

Sarah Lasko is wonderful as Dorothy. Her voice, operatic and with a gorgeous vibrato, makes me think of classic Broadway hits from Rodgers & Hammerstein, such as Carousel and Cinderella. The special effects bring this show into the modern era - you'll sometimes feel as if you're watching the movie, as special lighting effects and video projection create the illusion of a tornado whisking the entire audience from Kansas to Oz. The colors are oh-so-bright (like technicolor!), and the costumes are beautiful and fun.



In the original movie, there were really only a handful of songs. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" of course, "Follow The Yellow Brick Road," "Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead," "If I only Had a Brain" (reprised at least four times). The new numbers by Webber and Rice add just enough to make what is largely a "talking" movie into a full-scale musical. They aren't particularly memorable songs - but they blend in perfectly with the original score to create a seamless production.

Of course, Jack and I both believe that Toto really was the star of the show. Where's his best actor nod?  We were seriously impressed with this little dog, an 8-year-old Cairn terrier named Nigel, who travels with the touring production (along with his understudy, Loki). Trained by Bill Berloni (Broadway's go-to source for stage dogs), Toto may have gotten the biggest applause at the show's conclusion. Sandy, I'm afraid you've been trumped!

The Wizard of Oz is playing at the Fox Theatre through this Sunday, June 26th. Click your heels, follow the yellow brick road - or maybe just purchase tickets so you don't miss this one!


PERFORMANCES
Thursday7:30 p.m.
Friday8 p.m.
Saturday2 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sunday1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS
Tickets start at $33.50 and are available at by visiting www.FoxTheatre.org/Wizard, calling 1-855-285-8499 or visiting the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308).  For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInAtlanta.com


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TOTO'S PET SUPPLY DRIVE
“Toto’s Pet Supplies Drive” benefits local shelters; adoptions and donations can be made at the Fox Theatre to benefit Atlanta Pet Rescue, a local nonprofit, no-kill shelter dedicated to providing a healthy and safe home for animals awaiting adoption. Throughout the week, patrons can drop donations in the collection bin located near the Broadway in Atlanta display table inside the lobby.For more information, please visit www.atlantapetrescue.org or www.broadwayinatlanta.com.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and is operated by John Gore (Owner & CEO). BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, and more. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

* I was provided with complimentary tickets to the show in return for this article. Any opinions are my own.


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