As previously announced, the cast will be headed by Danielle Wade (as Dorothy), who was chosen by the Canadian public through CBC TV's reality show "Over The Rainbow."
Starring opposite Wade will be Canadian actor Cedric Smith as the Wizard, Mike Jackson (Chicago) as the Tin Man, Lee MacDougall (Mamma Mia! in Toronto and the U.S. tour) as the Lion, Jamie McKnight (The Producers in Toronto) as the Scarecrow, Robin Evan Willis (Shaw Festival) as Glinda and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Les Miz, Miss Saigon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Closer Than Ever) as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Rounding out the ensemble are Larry Mannell, Charlotte Moore, Jordan Bell, John Edwards, Kelly Grainger, Julianne Hobby, Jason Huska, Zak Kearns, Ayrin Mackie, Anthony MacPherson, Stewart Adam McKensy, Julia McLellan, Briana Palmer, Kristen Pottle, Alana Randall, Adam Sergison, Andrew Taylor, Devon Tullock, Jesse Weafer, Ryan Wilson and Alyson Workman.
Developed from the MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the Oscar-winning movie plus new songs by Tim Rice and Lloyd Webber. This version made its North American premiere on Dec. 20, 2012, in Toronto, ON, at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, where it continues to play through Aug. 18.
The national tour will feature the same award-winning creative team from London and Toronto: Jeremy Sams (direction), Robert Jones (set and costume design), Arlene Phillips (choreography), Hugh Vanstone (lighting design), Mick Potter (sound design), Jon Driscoll (video/projection design), David Cullen (orchestrations) and Graham Hurman (musical supervision). Animals will be provided by William Berloni.
"Click your heels together and 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," according to press notes. "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 all the family." Current tour dates follow:
Sept. 10 – 15, 2013 The Smith Center, Las Vegas, NV
Sept. 17 – Oct 6, 2013 Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 9 – 13, 2013 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
Dec. 4 – 29, 2013 The Ordway, St. Paul, MN
Dec. 31 – Jan 5., 2014 The Peace Center, Greenville, SC
Jan. 7 – 19, 2014 Broward Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jan. 21 – 26, 2014 Barbara B. Mann PAH, Ft. Myers, FL
Feb. 4 – 9, 2014 ASU Gammage, Tempe, AZ
Feb. 11 – 23, 2014 Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Feb. 25 – March 2, 2014 Centennial Hall, Tucson, AZ
March 4 – 16, 2014 Hobby Center, Houston, TX
April 1 – 6, 2014 Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR
April 8 – 13, 2014 Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC
April 15 – 20, 2014 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
April 22 – 27, 2014 Devos Hall, Grand Rapids, MI
May 13 – 18, 2014 Fabulous Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO
June 3 – 8, 2014 Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
For more information visit wizardofozthemusical.com.
