Fans of The Wizard of Oz can follow the yellow brick road to the North Shore Music Theatre for a stage adaptation of the classic 1939 MGM film.

Adapted by John Kane from the film — which itself was based on L. Frank Baum's novel — The Wizard of Oz features music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E. Y. Harburg. Heading the cast of the Massachusetts production are New Hampshire native Sarah Stiles — who toured as Kate Mullins in Maury Yeston's Titanic — as Dorothy, George Dvorsky as the Tin Man, Casey Colgan as the Scarecrow and David Coffee as the Cowardly Lion. Supporting players include Tia Sparos as the Witch and Broadway regular Ken Prymus as the famed Wizard of Oz. The ensemble comprises Randy Aaron, Joe Barnes, Eddie Buffum, Austin Colyer, Chris Curcio, Naleah Dey , Gail Howell, Ethan Jones, Jamie Kelton, Scott Leiendecker, Jillian Louis, Marielyse Molina, Roxann Parker, Steven Petrillo, Melissa Rouse, Todd Bradley Smith and Lauren Wagner as well as members of the NSMT Children's Choir.

Directed by Alan Coats and choreographed by Lee Wilkins, Oz begins performances July 16 with an official opening scheduled for July 18. The production will run through Aug. 11.

Sarah Stiles has performed in regional productions of Bye Bye Birdie, Grease and Mining the Mother Load. George Dvorsky was featured in the Broadway casts of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Passion and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and has appeared in the NSMT's production of A Christmas Carol for the past ten years. Ken Prymus, who spent the last year-and-a-half touring in Cinderella, has starred on Broadway in The Wiz, Ain't Misbehavin' and Cats.

The North Shore Music Theatre is located in Beverly, MA, at 62 Dunham Road. Tickets are available by calling the theatre's box office at (978) 232-7200 or by going on-line to www.nsmt.org. —By Andrew Gans