The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Adventure Theatre-MTC

I'm heading to DC for opening weekend of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Adventure Theatre-MTC. From the beginning, it's been such a rich and rewarding experience. As excited as I am to open, I kind of don't want it to end. I honestly don't think I've ever had so much fun. For those in the area, here's more info on the show:

"The concept of rewriting a classic like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz seemed so daunting until I really looked at the character of Dorothy, who is just like I was at that age," says playwright Jacqueline Lawton, award recipient of TCG's Young Leaders of Color and named one of the top 30 national leading black playwrights by Arena Stage's American Voices New Play Institute. "Raised on a farm with chores where nothing seemed to happen and dreaming of stories that eventually would become my career."

"Every time I come back to ATMTC, I feel like we try to create magic, and Oz is at its core, magical," says director Roberta Gasbarre who directed both Helen Hayes Nominated productions of The Red Balloon and Goodnight Moon for Adventure Theatre MTC. "I cannot wait to take this journey with the audience, and they should be prepared for an amazing ride."

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
April 3 – May 25, 2015
Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum
Adapted by Jacqueline E. Lawton
Directed by Roberta Gasbarre
Starring Henian Boone, Ryan Dalusung, Maggie Erwin, Pasquale Guiducci, Thony Mena, Sarah Olmsted-Thomas, Alex Vernon, and Paige Hernandez as Dorothy Gale
Recommended for All Ages
Running Time: 1 hour with no intermission
Click here to purchase tickets.

Life in Kansas has been a bit boring for Dorothy and her little dog Toto. Until one day, a cyclone swoops in and takes them “over the rainbow” to the wonderful and magical land of Oz. With the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy sets off on the adventure of a lifetime down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. These new friends brave witches, flying monkeys, and a Haunted Forest all to meet the Wizard of Oz, who promises to make their dreams come true.

Tickets to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are $19-19.50 each, with group and field trip rates available, and can be purchased through the box office by calling 301-634-2270 or online at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org. Children under the age of one are free. The press performance is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4th.

All performances will take place at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD, 20812 in the historic Glen Echo Park.


The rest of this post is a love fest to the creative and production team. Please enjoy!

Wizard of Oz Rehearsal Photos

Photo by Jacqueline E. Lawton.

Photo by Alex Vernon.

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Wonderful Wizard of Oz Costumes by Tyler Gunther

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Wizard of Oz Set Designs by Lydia Francis

Production Photos by Bruce Douglas

Adventure Theatre (founded in 1951) and Musical Theater Center (founded in 1986) merged into one organization in 2012.  The combined entity is called Adventure Theatre MTC.  Located in Glen Echo Park (Glen Echo, MD) and The Wintergreen Plaza (Rockville, MD), Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) cultivates new generations of artists and life-long audiences by creating memorable theatrical productions and experiences and by providing young people the highest quality training in musical theater and theater.

The ATMTC Academy offerings complement the National & State Fine Arts Standards of Learning, providing a challenging outlet for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful performers - including self-discipline, teamwork, problem solving, and self-confidence.  ATMTC Academy Alumni have numerous Broadway, national tour, TV and film credits.  ATMTC fosters collaborations and partnerships with local and national arts, humanities and civic organizations.  These collaborations, which have been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally, help to ensure that all of our programming is diverse, affordable and accessible. Adventure Theatre MTC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

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